The country will today be voting to elect the 10th Parliament since Independence, choosing among four political parties – and a number of independent candidates – that have extensively campaigned for support ever since the date of the election was announced on 4 February.

Like yesterday, considered to be the day of silence, no political campaigning can be made by the parties and their candidates, leaving the people free to make their selection after hearing what each and every party had to offer.

The Nationalist Party, the Malta Labour Party, Alternattiva Demokratika and Azzjoni Nazzjonali have all made their voices heard over 33 days of intensive campaigning, with activities held every day – in the morning, afternoon and sometimes evening and night as well. These have ranged from mass meetings, interviews, walkabouts and visits to industrial and shopping areas, and meetings with young people and the elderly. Photo opportunities were not lost.

On an individual basis, candidates have been rushing from house to house in a bid to earn the number one preference, while most have also distributed leaflets and sent sms messages to promote themselves.

Politicians, in particular the leaders of all parties, have appeared countless times on television stations, giving interviews to radio stations and newspapers, in what has been an intensive campaign.

They have tried their best to pass on the message that they are the better choice for the country, and gave their reasons as to why this should be so. All political parties have come up with a long list of proposals which they think are the best way forward for the country in the next five years.

Now it is up to the people to judge. The people ultimately have the democratic right to elect the government to guide them in the new legislature, and this they will do with their vote today. They will weigh the proposals and make their choice in the best interest of the country.

It is expected that the results will be known sometime tomorrow, and this will no doubt lead to celebrations on one (perhaps more than one) side, and disappointment on the other(s).

No doubt, there will be people making merry in the streets, while others will stay at home. What one should always keep in mind is that while everybody has the right to celebrate the victory of the political party he or she supports, the rest of the population also has the right to be disappointed, and therefore mutual respect is called for in all circumstances.

Celebrations should be contained, and the victorious political party should be the first to call on its supporters to be calm in their festivities. All political leaders have called for calm throughout the campaign, and they should be repeating this call once the results are known tomorrow.

What is also important is that rumours should not be spread around unnecessarily, especially if they are downright untrue. This could lead to uncalled for behaviour and, worse, to incidents.

The political parties should lead by example in all this. Whatever the outcome of today’s voting, the political parties and their officials should be the ones who behave as civilly as possible. And let us hope that all supporters will follow suit.

Whatever the differences and whoever wins, let us all remember that we are one country.