Voting is under way at the PN headquarters to elect the general council's 18 representatives on the party's executive committee.

The 18 officials will team up with MPs and representatives of other PN bodies to form the executive committee that will eventually elect the new secretary general in the weeks to come.

In total, 41 candidates are contesting the election, 23 men and 18 women. Following changes to the PN statute implemented two years ago, two separate elections are taking place to elect nine men and nine women.

Speaking to this newsroom, communications chief Matthew Bonett said that the changes promote equality between male and female candidates.

This is the first time that the changes made to the statute two years ago are being put to the test.

A separate election is also being held to elect the general council president. But this should just be a formality as only one nomination was received, that of current incumbent Paula Mifsud Bonnici.

Voting started at 10am and is expected to close at 9pm. Electoral commission representatives will then proceed with the counting of votes. The executive committee results are expected to be issued in the early hours of Saturday.

The candidates

Men - Aquilina Karol, Battistino David, Borg Johann, Callus Alexis, Caruana Raymond, Cassar Neville, Custò Malcolm, Debono Jean Pierre, Degiorgio Trevor, Fenech Justin, Griscti David, Mercieca Joseph, Micallef Robert, Mizzi Edward, Mizzi Kevin, Musumeci Martin, Perici Calascione Alex, Persiano Stefano, Sammut Mark Anthony, Schembri Justin, Schiavone Hermann, Spiteri Marco, Thika Alban, Zammit Stefano.

Women - Abela Amanda, Azzopardi Jacqueline, Bonavia Tiffany, Buttigieg Barbara, Desira Rita, Dimech Portelli Rita, Ebejer Christabelle, Fenech Ann, Galea Caroline, Galea Graziella, Martin Denise, Perici Calascione Veronica, Pirotta Stefania, Smart Costantino Sandra, Thake Rosette, Vella Isabel, Vella Brincat Evelyn, Zammit Francesca.