Charles Mangion, MLP deputy leader, and general secretary Jason Micallef denied media reports about what they did on Sunday at the Naxxar vote counting hall, after media reports claimed that the two had abandoned the counting hall. This was a lie, they said in a joint statement.

They were present during the counting process, including during the time when the two major parties were literally running neck and neck. At one time, together with deputy leader Michael Falzon, and in the presence of various people representing the Labour Party at the count, it was agreed that in the circumstances Dr Mangion and Mr Micallef would go to the party headquarters to explain the situation in detail to party leader Alfred Sant, who was by himself at the headquarters.

From then on communication was continuous between the leadership and the counting centre until it was decided that the MLP would issue a statement that because the situation did not appear that it would change, the MLP would wait for the first count result issued by the electoral commission.

The decision was taken also after the PN had earlier said the same, that the parties were very close and it would be the electoral commission which would establish the first count vote. Subsequently, the PN changed its stance and its secretary general declared that the PN had indications that it had won the election with 1,200 votes.

Because of security at the party headquarters, and particularly the personal security of Dr Sant, Dr Mangion and Mr Micallef decided to escort Dr Sant, together with the police, to his private residence in Birkirkara. Dr Mangion and Mr Micallef were themselves escorted by the police to their own residence in the early hours on Sunday.

This was what had happened, Dr Mangion and Mr Micallef said. Any other version would be intended only to harm the Labour Party and personally, Dr Mangion and Mr Micallef.