Updated Sunday 11.37am

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

The counting process at Naxxar vote started just after 10am, with indications that the Labour Party had won emerging after around half an hour. 

Photo: Kurt Sansone

Observers at the counting centre said the opening of ballot boxes and vote reconciliation proceeded very efficiently overnight, even though the boxes from Gozo took some time to arrive at Naxxar. 

The political parties were also busy overnight, covering their billboards all over Malta and Gozo or replacing them with advertising hoarding. The measure is aimed at discouraging incidents when celebrations by the supporters of the winning party start.

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Turnout drops

The Electoral Commission announced shortly after midnight that the turnout yesterday was 92 per cent,  one per cent less than in 2013 and the lowest since 1966.

Until 2pm, turnout was more than three per cent higher than it was four years ago.

The highest turnout was in the fourth district, 93.85 per cent, while the lowest on the 12th, 87.84 per cent.

Drops were registered in all districts and different interpretations were given to the outcome, including the possibility that switchers who chose Labour in the last election this time opted to stay away. 

The election was held after a bitter four-week campaign which saw the Nationalist Party calling for the eradication of corruption while Labour insisting on the need of continuity.