Court action against Electoral Commission by PN due to prison voting

Mar 23 2022

The Nationalist Party will be taking court action against the Electoral Commission after turning down requests to cancel the early voting which was held at Malta’s prison on Saturday.

The commission decided to turn down the PN request on Tuesday after a day earlier the Opposition said that prisoners sentenced for more than a year of imprisonment had been allowed to vote despite being ineligible. The PN went on to call for another round of voting with reviewed lists of who of the prisoners could in fact vote.

The PN said it will be filing an urgent application requesting the court to order the commission to open the sealed packets listing the persons entitled to vote at the prisons as well as the packets holding the voting documents of those who cast a ballot.

The commission is also being ordered to present a list of prisoners who have been disqualified from voting and the list handed to the commission. The opposition is asking the chief electoral commissioner and the commission declare that they failed in their duty to ensure that thy received the required information from the registrars.

Finally, the Opposition is calling a cancellation of last Saturday’s vote and to hold a new election on the basis of an updated list of prisoners that excludes ineligible voters. With the party asking the court to stop the opening of the ballot box used at the prisons on Saturday until a final decision on the application is taken, general secretary to the party Michael Piccinino said the PN did not want anything to hinder next Saturday’s general election and that the case should thus be addressed with urgency.

#MaltaDaily

PN election plan to cost €6 billion party reveals – trackless tram €2.8 billion

PN election to cost €6 billion party reveals - trackless tram €2.8 billion

Mar 23 2022

A Nationalist government would spend €6 billion to implement its electoral manifesto. According to projections provided by the party, the plan is set to generate GDP contributions of €42.6 billion (direct and indirect) by 2030.

The party said that the spending will be split into three components. €1.8 billion will be relegated to long-term projects whereas €1.4 billion will be an investment growth fund.

A whopping €2.6 billion will be spent on what the party terms as incremental expenditure on areas like health and social measures. The EU would be funding 49% of the €1.8 billion spent on capital and long term infrastructure.

The PN’s Trackless Tram is set to cost €2.8 billion, with part of this cost included in the €6 billion. As for the party’s pledge to create 10 new economic sectors, it is expected to directly generate 32,500 employments with an average salary of €43,000.

The 10 new sectors, which range from AI to the metaverse, will be funded through government allocations, EU funding and public borrowings. According to the Opposition, already excising sectors like online gaming, will receive a boost which will see them contribute €18 billion over an eight year period.

Saying that it is committed to not increasing taxation ratios, the party is projecting that economic growth will result in an additional €2.7 billion in fiscal revenues. A consultive council will play a role in aligning government spending to priority areas.

#MaltaDaily

Massive traffic jam following Santa Venera road incident

Mar 23 2022

A car crash which occurred around 7am has led to a massive traffic jam and the closure of parts of Regional Road, Santa Venera.

Two cars were involved in the accident, a Mazda Demio and a Kia Picanto, with one of the drivers being rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Their condition is not yet known.

Police have informed the public that part of the road, which leads towards Santa Venera, has been closed to traffic as investigations are carried out.

The traffic congestion is allegedly extending all the way to Tal-Barrani, causing massive delays. Reports of an overturned vehicle are as of yet unconfirmed, but drivers are still being advised to avoid the area.

This follows a car accident which occurred last week which led to a massive traffic congestion as debris took hours to be removed. Further information to be released in the coming hours.

#MaltaDaily

‘The Opposition does not deserve the people’s trust’, says Robert Abela

Mar 22 2022

Beginning his address by thanking the people of Paola for their warm welcome, Prime Minister Robert Abela stated that it is imperative that Labour is trusted once again on Saturday in order to renew Malta together.

“That which he have achieved until today is only the pediment on which we must build our future,” the Labour leader stated, before arguing the strength of his party’s proposals. He went on to argue that the Opposition does not deserve the people’s trust because it has already shown that it cannot be trusted during these five years.

He told the people not to vote Labour solely because they cannot trust the Nationalist Party, but because the Labour Party will ensure a better Malta for younger generations to come.

“A vote for the Labour Party on Saturday, is a guarantee for all children, regardless of where they come from.”

With regards to proposals, he highlighted the Labour Party’s pledge of €700 million euro over a period of seven years, also shining a light on particular proposals such as the €10,000 grant over 10 years for first time buyers and decrease in taxes.

Abela asked that voters cast their votes early, while [the Labour Party] will continue to convince others on ‘a choice for the future’, a choice which the Prime Minister argued is clear.

Watch the full event below:

#MaltaDaily