Partit Demokratiku deputy leader Timothy Alden will have to contest the local council elections as an independent candidate because of a clerical error, PD said on Friday.

Alden is contesting the Sliema local council election.

The party said that, because of a clerical error, the Electoral Commission could not accept Aldren’s nomination on behalf of PD. As a result, he will have to run as an independent.

PD said it is still one hundred percent behind its deputy leader in his campaign.

If elected, Alden will still represent the Partit Demokratiku.

Alden said the PD will strive to strengthen solidarity between residents, old and new alike. He said that he will seek cooperation and consensus that is not undermined by partisan interests. “There is no space for partisan politics in community service,” he said.

In a statement later in the day, Alden said: "The person who made the mistake resulting on me being an Independent candidate offered me his resignation this week. I refused. We all make mistakes. Sometimes they are small ones, sometimes big ones. What matters to me is the track record and also one's intentions. This was his first mistake and his intentions are pure. Partit Demokratiku is made up mostly of volunteers sacrificing their time and energy for a cause. Sometimes that means we make mistakes more readily than others. But our mistakes don't destroy the environment or ruin our quality of life... or steal from the public purse. I am glad people hold us to a higher standard than the other parties. And I am proud to be Partit Demokratiku."