What with all the detailed arguments we have heard over recent weeks, all the misinformation and disinformation, and all the mudslinging and accusations, one would be forgiven for being more than a little confused, or even apathetic, toward next Saturday’s referendum.

Here we will make it simple and condense the entire argument into one simple overarching concept: tolerance and respect for your fellow citizen.

Each and every form of democratic expression is always more than welcome but, with every rule there is an exception. And Saturday’s referendum on the introduction of divorce legislation is, beyond any logical doubt, one such exception.

It must be said that on this issue, which is purely a civil right issue, the electorate obviously has a right to its opinion on divorce – it just does not have a right for that opinion to be expressed at the polls.

And, in the event of a ‘yes’ vote on Saturday, when it comes time for Members of Parliament to vote on the issue, they of course have every right to consult their conscience but they do not have a right to have what their conscience tells them about divorce expressed when the Speaker calls for a division.

The reason, again, is elementary. The issue boils down to a civil right, pure and simple, and the aspect of their conscience that MPs would theoretically need to grapple with does not concern the moral aspects of divorce but, rather, whether this basic right should be introduced to a minority of Malta’s citizens.

The same goes for the electorate. Of course the merits of the argument need to be heard but the foremost consideration on the electorate’s mind should not be their own opinions on divorce, whatever they are, but rather the granting of a right to their fellow citizens.

We have thankfully moved on from the days of the fight for women’s suffrage, but if we hadn’t, would we be asking a male electorate and male MPs to decide on women’s right to vote? Certainly not, but that is effectively what we are asking ion Saturday. We are asking the vast majority to vote on a fundamental right to be granted to a minority of the country’s citizens.

In this context, or any other for that matter, no one group of people, no one institution and no one political party has the right to impose their moral values on others.

Nor is the issue a religious one, irrespective of how some would seek to paint it as such. Again, it is very simple. If one does not believe in divorce, do not seek one and by all means seek to persuade your fellow citizens onto the same train of thought. But by no means, and surely the most devout amongst us would agree, do not impose, through Saturday’s vote, those values on others. If they are bereft of such values, they will have to find their way toward them on their own steam and not by having them imposed upon them.

As for the arguments over secularism and the separation of Church and state, much of this should also be cut out and placed aside for future deliberation. After all, the state has no business regulating or maintaining the relationship between the Church and its flock, as it does at present in terms of marriage and annulments – that relationship is purely between the Church and its faithful and it has no place at the polls.

Finally, we appeal for a ‘yes’ vote on Saturday as a matter of principle, of tolerance and of respect toward our fellow citizens, but also so we can force our MPs to declare themselves on the issue. There are few who have done so as yet, and there are many who would certainly prefer not to do so publically. Most of our honourables, since a referendum is actually being held, have so far evaded being forced to state their stances and one is given to believe that a great many of them are not unhappy about that.

If we have a ‘no’ vote on Saturday, many of our current MPs will never have been put on the spot. Perhaps there will be a chance in the next legislature, but they would have got off scot-free this time around.

For better of for worse, the electorate has been called to the polls and we appeal to each and every voter, pro- and anti-divorce alike, to exercise their democratic right and duty to vote. Those who have been thinking the issue does not concern them directly are gravely mistaken. This is a question of granting rights to their fellow citizens and staying away from the polls for lack of personal motivation is virtually criminal – it is actually criminal in a number of countries where voters are fined for not fulfilling their civic duty at the polls.

Come Saturday, anti- and pro-divorce voters alike, do not bring your opinions with you to the polling booths, just bring your conscience toward your fellow citizens…and do the right thing.