Charles Mangion, who is currently Enemalta’s chairman, has been elected to parliament, filling the vacant seat of former MP Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, whose seat became vacant after having been appointed by the Prime Minister as President of the Republic.

Dr Mangion was elected with 2,201 votes in the first count. Today's quota was 1,959. The casual election was held at Naxxar's counting hall.

Mr Gulia garnered 1,066 votes.

Dr Mangion will be resigning his post as Enemalta chairman as soon as he takes the oath as an MP.

The three other candidates who contested the election were former minister Gavin Gulia (who is currently MTA’s chairman), architect Simon Saliba, and Manwel Micallef (former GWU deputy general and One TV head of news).

The Luqa notary, Dr Mangion, who had briefly served as acting party leader and opposition leader in 2008, was unseated from parliament last year by his nephew Silvio Schembri.

During last year’s general election, Dr Mangion had obtained a respectable 1,930 first-count votes in the sixth electoral district, a number greater than the votes obtained by all other unsuccessful Labour district candidates put together.

Mr Micallef, Dr Gulia and Mr Saliba had obtained 237, 150 and 53 first-count votes respectively.

In comments to the media, Mr Mangion said that his role in parliament is not new and he will do his utmost to serve the country.

He thanked his contituents for their support during this election as well.