The Movement of Maltese Patriots party has submitted an objection to the Electoral Commission against the Alleanza Bidla nominations, saying that their multi-district nominations breached the law.

The Patriots said that Alleanza submitted candidates to contest as many as 12 electoral districts in the June 3 elections, while the law envisages no more than two.

"We abided by the rules, so why shouldn't they? I am surprised that the major parties have not also objected," party secretary Norman Scicluna told the Times of Malta.

Electoral Commission should have objected there and then

Ivan Grech Mintoff is contesting on 12 of the 13 districts, Joseph Giardina on 11 and Saviour Xuereb on 10. 

Mr Scicluna said that the Electoral Commission should have objected at once but did not, adding that they were obliged to do so by law.

"There is another clause in the law which says that if a candidate is elected on two districts, he has to relinquish one. The whole framework has been designed with a candidate contesting no more than two districts. If Alleanza Bidla is allowed to get away with this, it would set a huge and very worrying precedent," Mr Scicluna said.

"Chapter 354 of the Laws of Malta covering the Elections. Section IX "Nomination of Candidates", Paragraph 51, Subsection 3 where this specifically states that one can object to a Candidate's Nomination if that person had already presented nominations on 2 districts.

"Subsection 4 also states that the Commission is obliged to itself oppose such a nomination if any reason stated in Subsection 3 is present.

"Furthermore Paragraph 109 dealing with candidates who may have managed to be elected to more than one district speaks specifically of 'Candidates who have been elected on TWO districts' who are then obliged to drop one of these. This means that in the eventuality of any candidate being allowed to contest on more than two such districts and in the case that he or she is elected to more than two such districts than the law as stated would not be able to handle that eventuality. In this scenario, it would be absolutely irresponsible for the Commission not to accept our objection to such a serious matter."

The Electoral Commission hearing will be held this afternoon, and it has to rule within two days.

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