For the first time in the party’s history, the Malta Labour Party electoral commission has ordered a day of silence today, not allowing the five contestants to make any public statements or hold public meetings.

Speaking to this newspaper, MLP electoral commissioner Joe Falzon said the commission decided to lay down the day of silence a day before the elections for party leader, which will take place tomorrow.

As a result, the five contestants will not be able to make any form of public statement before the election is over – either tomorrow, or on Friday, if the first vote does not lead to a winner.

When asked why the commission took this decision, Mr Falzon said that the day of silence was decided on just like there is such a day before a general election.

However, although under the law, the media are not allowed to carry any stories of political content on the day of silence before a general election, the decision taken by the MLP electoral commission applies only to the five contestants.