MaltaMedia.com

The approximate turnout of voters by 1400 CET stood at 34% for the European Parliament Elections, a decrease of 4% over the 2004 MEP elections. Meanwhile the approximate turnout for the Local Councils election in 23 localities stood at 33%, according to official figures released by the Electoral Commission. In 2004, 35% of voters had cast their vote by 1400 CET, although the localities were different.

15,862 voting documents for the EP elections remained uncollected. This is over 5,000 more than the 10,100 voting documents not collected in the first EP elections held in Malta in 2004. This means that of 306,549 voters are eligible to vote out of a total of 322,411 registered voters.

8,830 voting documents have remained uncollected for the Local Council Election being held in Mdina, Cospicua, Zabbar, Victoria, Birkirkara, Fgura, Gudja, Gharb, Ghaxaq, Kalkara, Lija, Marsascala, Mgarr, Msida, Naxxar, Pieta’, Rabat, San Gwann, Sannat, Sliema, Tarxien, Xghajra and Mtarfa. There are 132,859 registered voters in those localities.

Approximate turnout figures for local council elections by 1400 CET are as follows: Mdina - 54%, Bormla - 33%, Zabbar - 33%, Rabat (G) - 33%, Birkirkara - 36%, Fgura - 37%, Gudja - 40%, Gharb - 36%, Ghaxaq - 36%, Kalkara - 40%, Lija - 35%, Marsaskala - 38%, Mgarr - 30%, Msida - 36%, Naxxar - 33%, Pieta - 39%, Rabat (M) - 33%, San Gwann - 37%, Sannat (G) - 32%, Sliema - 35%, Tarxien - 37%, Xghajra - 43%, Mtarfa - 33%.

The European Parliament Elections are being held for the second time since Malta joined the EU in 2004. Five MEPs have to be elected while the first runner-up will have observer status and if confirmed by the Lisbon Treaty, will become the 6th MEP for Malta.

MaltaMedia is providing special election coverage starting Saturday, with particular emphasis on Sunday until the official result for the European Parliament Elections is announced. It has already launched a special election blogosphere and will provide an SMS breaking news service on Vodafone number 5090 2060.