Updated 4pm

Eleven electoral districts have already been closed but for the rest, the counts at the Naxxar hall are dragging on. In the past, most districts were closed on average in 17 counts but this time around, the two remaining districts are into their 30th count.

This means that the process could drag on well beyond this evening, in contrast with previous years.

Here is the state of play of some of the open districts, being updated at regular intervals. 

Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

District 3
With Chris Fearne yet to decide whether to relinquish this seat or that in the 4th district, Carmelo Abela has been elected on the PL ticket, but there are three others still in the 2000s: Owen Bonnici, Helena Dalli, and Silvio Grixti. Both Dr Bonnici and Dr Dalli have already been elected on other districts. On the Nationalist side, Mario Galea is leading, with Stephen Spiteri and Carm Mifsud Bonnici still in the count.

District 5
Joseph Muscat, Owen Bonnici and Julia Farrugia Portelli have taken Labour's three seats. On the Nationalist side, Tony Bezzina and Jean Pierre Debono have been elected, with Hermann Schiavone and Norman Vella still on the list. 

District 8

The process in this district has been thrown into disarray by the sudden resignation of Therese Comodini Cachia. In a casual election, this will possibly favour broadcaster David Thake.

Female MPs

There were nine women in the last legislature and, so far, eight have been elected this time round

Kristy Debono, Marthese Portelli and Claudette Buttigieg (PN); Justyne Caruana and Helena Dalli (PL) and Marlene Farrugia (PD) will be returning to Parliament. They have been joined by newcomers Therese Commodini Cachia (PN), who unexpectedly decided not to give up her seat at the European Parliament, and Julia Farrugia Portelli (PL).

Ms Farrugia's election makes this the first time since 1962 that the Maltese Parliament has three parties who have been elected.

Double seats

So far, eight MPs have been elected from two districts: Joseph Muscat, Edward Scicluna, Chris Fearne and Silvio Schembri for Labour, and Simon Busuttil, David Agius, Robert Arrigo and Beppe Fenech Adami for the Nationalists.

Seats

Labour should have 37 seats in the new legislature, with the PN getting 28 with an additional two to even out the proportional representation. The last legislature had 69 MPs until a court case awarded the PN another two seats.

Couple in Parliament

This legislature will also see a couple in Parliament - returnee Kirsty Debono and her husband, newcomer Jean Pierre Debono.

See who has been elected here.