Businessman Ivan Bartolo has submitted his nomination for the casual election to replace Marthese Portelli, who resigned from Parliament last week.

Bartolo was last year at the forefront of a group of PN councillors who tried to force a vote of no confidence against party leader Adrian Delia.

He was among a number of candidates who submitted their nomination for the casual election on the ninth electoral district. The other candidates who submitted their nomination on Friday were PN International Secretary Roselyn Borg Knight, St Julian’s Mayor Albert Buttigieg and Swieqi Mayor Noel Muscat.

Charles Selvaggi and Graziella Attard Previ are also contesting the casual election.

On the other hand, the Electoral Commission has received three new nominations for the casual election on the 12th district, which will elect a new MP to replace Simon Busuttil. The former PN leader resigned last month to take up a new role as Secretary General of the European People’s Party (EPP).

The candidates who submitted their nomination on Friday are Graziella Galea, Simone Aquilina and Simone Torpiano.

Other candidates running for the 12th district casual election are former radio host David Thake, Sam Abela.

The casual elections will be held on Tuesday 10 March.