Although most people think that all has been said and done with regard to the general election, there will be more, as 12 seats – six for each party – have yet to be filled by candidates who were not elected on 8 March.
Casual elections are held in order to assign such seats. The first step is for the parties, through their particular structures, to decide which district each candidate (elected on two districts) should relinquish.
The system within both parties works as follows: the parliamentary group and the party executive meet and discuss the options, and then the executive takes a secret vote on which districts should be relinquished.
According to Jean Pierre Debono, speaking for the Nationalist Party, this process will take place within the next 15 days while the Malta Labour Party’s secretary-general, Jason Micallef said discussions would also cover a broader one on the electoral result. However, a decision is to be made as soon as possible.
The decision is most commonly taken on the chances that an unelected candidate which the party holds as a valid MP, stands in a casual election. The problem is that those whose name appears higher on the ballot paper, stand a better chance of election – voters usually give their first preference to their preferred candidate, then vote from the top of the list down. And names on the list are given alphabetically.
Before casual elections are held, the electoral commission will announce which districts have been relinquished and any unelected candidates on those districts may contest.
The casual election is then carried out by distributing the vacating MPs’ ballot papers – all ballot papers are preserved under seal. The ballot papers are then transferred onto the candidates according to voter preferences.
The first candidate to exceed the casual election quota (which is half the district quota) will be the new MP.
2008 results
There has been an increase of candidates who have been elected on two districts since the 2003 elections, with the Malta Labour Party increasing its tally by three and the Nationalist Party by two.
The six PN candidates who were elected on two districts on Saturday were party leader Lawrence Gonzi (2nd district and 9th), deputy leader Tonio Borg (8th,11th), Tonio Fenech (8th,12th), Dolores Cristina (9th,10th), Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando (7th,11th) and Robert Arrigo (9th,10th). These are all debutants in this special section of electoral statistics.
In 2003, former PN leader Eddie Fenech Adami (8th, 11th), Louis Galea (5th, 7th), Francis Zammit Dimech (9th, 10th) and Joe Borg (9th, 10th) had made it on both districts. The first two did not contest this time round as Dr Fenech Adami is the current President of Malta while Dr Borg is an EU Commissioner. Both Dr Galea and Dr Zammit Dimech failed to be elected this time; however, the former Tourism Minister, Dr Zammit Dimech, regained his seat on the 9th district as the PN was owed four seats in order to be given a one-seat majority in parliament to make up for the three-seat deficit as established through the voting.
MLP Leader Alfred Sant (1st, 8th), former deputy leader George Vella (3rd, 5th) and Evarist Bartolo (10th, 12th) were successful on both fronts on previous occasions. In 1996, 1998 and 2003 they were elected on the same districts, the composition of which has changed during the past legislature in the light of the September 2007 constitutional amendments.
Deputy leaders Charles Mangion (4th, 6th), Michael Falzon (2nd, 10th) and Helena Dalli (2nd, 3rd) were the other MLP candidates who made it on two districts. Dr Falzon had never contested an election before.
First District
Dr Sant could give up his seat here, which could be contested by MLP doyens Joseph Brincat and Joseph Debono Grech, former MP John Buttigieg, Leon Bencini and Simon Micallef Stafrace.
Second District
If Dr Gonzi were to relinquish his seat on the second district Stephen Spiteri would be the only PN candidate left, so he would be automatically elected. Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, who contested this district, was elected from the third.
In the MLP camp, Dr Falzon and Ms Dalli could relinquish their seat to be contested by former MPs Chris Agius and Rita Law as well as Duncan Mifsud and Joseph Vella Bonnici.
Third District
There are two options here for the MLP as Ms Dalli and Dr Vella could relinquish their seats to be contested by former MPs Joe Abela, Chris Agius, Rita Law, Fgura mayor Darren Marmara, Marsascala councillor Owen Bonnici and Ivan Buttigieg.
Fourth District
MLP Deputy Leader Charles Mangion could pave the way for one of the following to make it to parliament: former MPs Joseph Brincat and Joseph Sammut, One Productions Sales and Marketing Manager Gino Cauchi, Owen Bonnici and Sebastian Muscat.
Fifth District
Dr Vella could relinquish this district thus giving a chance to former MPs Joseph Sammut and Joseph Farrugia, Marsaxlokk vice-mayor Edric Micallef, Zurrieq vice-mayor Silvio Izzo Savona and Ancel Farrugia Migneco.
Sixth District
Dr Mangion could let go of this district in order to give a chance to former MP Gavin Gulia to regain his seat, which could also be contested by Sebastian Muscat and Saviour Schembri.
Seventh District
Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando could relinquish this seat for former parliamentary secretary Tony Abela, Siggiewi mayor Robert Musumeci, Emanuel Agius, Jacqueline Azzopardi, Philip Muscat and Joanne Farrugia Galea to contest.
Eighth District
PN Deputy Leader Tonio Borg and Tonio Fenech could give a chance to former MP Michael Asciak, Lija mayor Ian Castaldi Paris, Birkirkara councillor Josianne Cardona Gatt, Martin Fenech and Giorgio Mario Schembri.
On the other hand, Dr Sant could relinquish his seat to allow contestation by former MPs John Buttigieg and Joseph Debono Grech, Clyde Cassar, Twanny Bugeja and Edward Zammit-Lewis.
Ninth District
Three places might be up for grabs in the PN camp as Dr Gonzi, Dolores Cristina and Robert Arrigo might give up their seat to give a chance to former Minister Michael Frendo, former MPs Joseph Falzon and Franco Galea, Donald Felice, Karl Gouder, Noel Muscat, Pippo Psaila, John Rizzo Naudi, Georg Sapiano and Charles Selvaggi.
It is however unlikely that the PN would give up three seats on the same district.
Tenth District
There could be four other MPs on this district; two for each party. This district, as seen through the eyes of a PN candidate, shares characteristics with the ninth as Ms Cristina and Mr Arrigo were elected from both districts and most hopeful candidates have contested both districts as well.
Thus former Minister Michael Frendo, former MPs Joseph Falzon and Franco Galea, Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier, Donald Felice, Karl Gouder and Pippo Psaila could be vying for a seat.
As regards the MLP, Dr Falzon and Evarist Bartolo could relinquish their seat to give a chance to former MP Joseph Cuschieri, Gzira mayor Chris Bonett, Sliema councillor Martin Debono and Gino Cauchi.
Eleventh District
Dr Borg and Dr Pullicino Orlando could step aside in order to allow two of the following to become MPs: PN president Victor Scerri, former Minister Censu Galea, former MP Michael Asciak, Lija mayor Ian Castaldi Paris, Balzan mayor John Zammit Montebello, Attard vice-mayor Charlò Bonnici and Mosta councillor Shirley Farrugia.
Twelfth District
Each party might consider electing a candidate on this district as Mr Fenech and Mr Bartolo were also elected here.
The PN ranks could be swelled by former minister Censu Galea, former PS Tony Abela, Robert Cutajar or Martin Fenech.
The MLP might to give a chance to Alfred Grima, Joseph Sammut, Kenneth Spiteri and Lorna Vassallo.
Following the last election, Dr Galea relinquished the fifth district and Helen D’Amato was elected, Dr Zammit Dimech relinquished the ninth district, where Mr Falzon was elected, Dr Borg relinquished the ninth district with Dr Frendo filling in while Dr Fenech Adami relinquished the eleventh district and Josef Bonnici was elected.
On 30 March 2004, then Prime Minister Fenech Adami resigned his parliamentary seat and Dr Asciak was elected in a casual election.
A similar election was held on 14 May, 2004 when Dr Joe Borg was appointed EU Commissioner. Franco Galea was elected in his stead.
Dr Joe Cassar was co-opted on 24 May, 2004 after Prof. Bonnici resigned from Parliament after he was appointed a member of the European Court of Auditors in Luxembourg.
MLP leader Dr Sant relinquished the eighth district and Mr Debono Grech was elected, Dr Vella relinquished the third district which elected Mr Abela and Mr Cuschieri was elected after Mr Bartolo relinquished the tenth district.
On 8 July, 2004, John Attard Montalto resigned from Parliament after he was elected to the European Parliament. Roderick Galdes was the only candidate left on the MLP ticket on the sixth district and was elected.