A general election will be held in Malta on Saturday, 9 March 2013, following the collapse of the Nationalist government on 10 December 2012. To ensure that families could enjoy the Christmas holidays free of party politics, the two main political parties, the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party, agreed to have the dissolution of the House of Representatives delayed until Monday, 7 January 2013, which also marked the official start of the electoral campaign.
In a press release issued by the Malta Government yesterday, travel arrangements are being made for eligible voters residing abroad to enable them to vote in Malta at the forthcoming General Election on 9 March 2013.
For this purpose, Air Malta plc will be making available return air tickets on its services at a charge of €35, inclusive of taxes and other charges, to persons who are eligible to vote in Malta at the forthcoming General Election. Reservations may be made at the Air Malta Call Centre on this specific number (+356) 2599 1230. The centre will be open between Monday to Saturday from 0800 to 2100hrs and on Sunday from 0800 to 1700hrs.
Inbound travel to Malta is possible from 27th February to 9th March 2013 and return travel is from 9th March to 17th March 2013. Those persons who will opt for early voting on the 2nd March 2013 can travel to Malta from 27th February and may return as of the 2nd March and not later than 17th March 2013. Those voting early have to apply at the Electoral Commission by latest noon on Friday 1st March 2013.
These travel arrangements are available for:
(a) eligible voters. including those married to foreigners, studying, working or undergoing medical treatment abroad; and
(b) dependents of the persons referred to in (a) above.
Persons to whom this directive applies must be eligible voters whose name appears in the Electoral Register published within five days from the publication of the General Election Writ.
The last General Elections were held in Malta in 2008 when the Nationalist Party obtained 49.34% of the votes and 35 seats, the Labour Party 48.79% and 34 seats and Others 1.87% and no seats.
Latest information about the Malta Election
The official website of the Malta Electoral Commission contains information on elections in Malta and about the Commission. Here you will be able to access the latest press releases and news about elections and the related legislation.
Anyone interested in reading the latest information about the Malta General Election campaign may wish to check out the website at http://election2013.com/. This is a temporary unofficial website set up purposely for the election. It claims to be an independent website without political bias, sponsorship or conflict of interest. All articles carried in this website are from major Maltese newspapers and personal reporting. It appears to be a balanced and well laid out website with the latest information about the campaign, the parties, and the candidates. [Important Disclaimer: By providing this link, the Maltese Community Council of Victoria, Inc. is not in any way endorsing or agreeing with the content of this website.]