The Nationalist Party has launched ‘Ideat’, an e-democracy platform designed to engage in public consultation on electoral proposals.

The forum, which can be accessed through the Forza Nazzjonali campaign website, will be used to create a debate of ideas on the proposals found within the general manifesto.

Users also have the opportunity to input their own suggestions on the website.

The Labour Party has so far employed more traditional methods, by requesting members email suggestions to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

The initiative, which according to the PN was the brainchild of Leader Simon Busuttil, was designed with the help of PN electoral candidate and software entrepreneur Ivan Bartolo.

Speaking to The Malta Independent, technology specialist and IT-Law expert Dr Gege Gatt said: “Malta cannot remain a nation ringed by its walls. Technology can enable us to instil a pervasive sense of justice, freedom and control over our common future. In a way: people over politics.

We need to recognise the immense transformative power IT can have in improving the life of Maltese citizens and society in general.

This tool is a great way to increase citizen participation in politics, especially electronic community access to policy formulation. It clearly aims to structure this public discussion. Citizens become potential producers of political value, commentary, and most importantly; actionable ideas.

I believe that democracy is strengthened by more conversations and this platform will stimulate such activity and bring it to the fore of our political activity."

In a press conference, PN Leader Simon Busuttil said that if the service would prove to be a success, he would extend it into his legislature should he be elected.

As Dr Busuttil admitted, the idea behind the concept is lifted directly from the newly-elected Icelandic PM Bjarni Benediktsson. Iceland, which has population size similar to Malta, has seen roughly 70,000 people use the service.

Currently the top rated suggestion crowd sourced from the public is that a PN government should introduce legislation which would reject any future development on ODZ land. The irony being that this has already been proposed by the Labour government.

The PL’s proposal had been met with surprise from eNGOs and the public, due to the government’s track record in the field, with 2016 seeing a record for most ODZ permits in 11 years.

The Planning Authority has also rejected roughly 60% of the Environment Resource Authority’s recommendations.

A majority of users called for an increase in green public spaces across the island, with one suggesting that there should be a green lung per locality.

There were also calls for an increase in creative spaces and to convert the now abandoned Marsa Power Station into a contemporary arts museum.

LGBTIQ issues are also top of the agenda of the users who submitted proposals. However, with the introduction of Josie Muscat into the PN fold, it seems that the PN will not be able to shake off their conservative image.

Users also suggested a complete overhaul of the public transport system, and to replace it with a more efficient system.

To combat the rising number of abandoned and disused buildings across the islands, users suggested that the government should introduce schemes which will incentivise the regeneration of such properties.

It was also put forward that the PN should introduce legislation to combat obesity, an ever growing issue in Malta, and promote sustainable and organic farming.