Updated at 10.40pm
Chris Fearne and Edward Scicluna shall be fighting it out tomorrow for the post of PL deputy leadership after Helena Dalli was eliminated this evening.
The result was confirmed by PL leader Joseph Muscat in a tweet this evening.
@helenadalli has a great deal to contibute as Europe and Equality minister. Good luck to @chrisfearne and @edward_scicluna for tomorrow -JM
— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) July 14, 2017
Mr Fearne obtained the highest number of votes, 296, followed by Prof. Scicluna - 240. Dr Dalli obtained 199 votes.
Since no one candidate received 50 per cent +1 of the votes, a run-off election will be held between Dr Fearne and Prof. Scicluna, the top two candidates.
In comments after the ballot, Mr Fearne said that no matter what the final result was, the PL would be emerging as a stronger party.
Prof Scicluna said the result was a close one, which reflected the strength of the three candidates.
On her part, Dr Dalli welcomed the experience as well as the chance to better understand delegates’ needs.
A total 745 Labour Party delegates out of the eligible 756 also voted to elect a new deputy leader for parliamentary affairs to replace Louis Grech, who quit politics on turning 70.
Labour Party delegates also confirmed Joseph Muscat as leader of the Labour Party with 733 votes in favour and seven against.
Deputy leader Chris Cardona was confirmed with 639 votes in favour, 87 against.