Just over two-thirds of eligible voters cast their vote in the local council elections held in 34 localities across Malta and Gozo, with the turnout failing to reach 50% in two localities.

The figure is higher than the 59% turnout registered in 2012, when the same local councils were up for election. However, that round of local elections also included a special election in Sliema, whose 43% turnout helped bring the average down.

The holding of a referendum on spring hunting on the same day may have boosted turnout this time round - no other election had coincided with the 2012 local elections.

But the turnout in the local council elections was still lower than the 75% turnout recorded in the referendum.