Updated - Joseph Muscat has won 13,968 first count votes on the second district and 12,202 on the fourth district for a record of 26,170.

The ballots of the fourth district were counted first, and cheering broke out on the counting hall as his 244 bundles of 50 votes each were totted up.

The counting agents banged on the perspex as they counted with the Electoral Commission staff, a process which was followed just before 11 p.m. for the second district.

This was the first time that Dr Muscat had contested the general election, having previously served in the European Parliament.

He also contested the second district, where his votes are still being counted.

Also elected, soon after Dr Muscat, was Labour MP Marie-Louise Coleiro-Preca, who won 6,106 votes on the sixth district.

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