Former PN treasurer Boris Xerri has taken over from Angelito Sciberras as Head of Elcom – the party’s electoral commission – following the latter’s resignation a few days ago.

The Malta Independent today reported that Xerri was set to take on the role, and this was confirmed by interim secretary general Francis Zammit Dimech who uploaded a photo on Facebook, showing Xerri, Zammit Dimech and leader Adrian Delia at lunch with a caption confirming the appointment.

Boris Xerri, seen as coming from the anti-Delia camp, had already been a member of Elcom in the past and was also part of the commission led by former European commissioner Joe Borg which had overseen the 2017 PN leadership election after the PN’s massive defeat at the polls, prompting the resignation of then leader Simon Busuttil.

Xerri had resigned from Elcom immediately after Delia was elected leader. Sciberras, who resigned earlier this month, had been appointed together with Antoine Portelli to manage the PN’s electoral department and to liaise with the electoral commission. Both resigned earlier this month, and paved the way for Xerri’s return.

Boris Xerri served as PN treasurer under Secretary General Paul Borg Olivier at a time when the party’s debts started to come under the spotlight, leaving it to struggle for survival. He was among those who signed the petition leading to a vote of no confidence in Adrian Delia last year.

The sources said that interim secretary general Francis Zammit Dimech is proposing Dennis Zammit to assist Xerri. Zammit was a representative of the group which advocated the vote of no confidence in Delia last year, a vote which did not pass as Delia obtained 2/3 of the preferences to stay on as leader.

Many at Dar Centrali are interpreting these appointments as yet another move to render Delia’s leadership ineffective. Over the past weeks the party has seen the resignation of secretary general Clyde Puli, a close aide to Delia as was Kristy Debono, who also resigned from the post of president of the PN general council.

Delia will also be losing deputy leader Robert Arrigo who announced his resignation this month but will be leaving in March.