The Electoral Commission yesterday announced that the next round of local council elections will be held, as planned, on 8 March.

This could also be the date when the general election is held, but that is up to the Prime Minister to decide. Dr Lawrence Gonzi has up to next Monday to dissolve Parliament if the general election is to be held on the same day as that for the local councils.

By law, a general election has to be called at least 33 days before it is due to be held.

Some 97,000 voters will be asked to cast their preferences in 23 localities to elect their 143 councillors on 8 March. Nominations from candidates will be received by the Electoral Commission at the end of next week.