Dr Busuttil made reference to a Nationalist Party press conference earlier today where  it was revealed that the voting documents to be distributed in the homes of people needed to cast your vote, were done so using inferior ink and are easy to tamper with.

He was addressing a political activity in Hamrun to a louder than usual crowd. The event was also address by an energetic and passionate deputy leader Mario de Marco, leader of the PN women section Barbara Buttigieg and former KSU leader Becky Micallef.

“This is what happens when an election is called in such a hurry. Voting documents are supposed to have security features in order to prevent tampering. This is what is done in the printing of money. In this case, if you rub the documents with a little bit of surgical spirit – which everybody has at home – you can erase the document. You couldn’t even make this up,” Dr Busuttil shouted.

“There are no words to express my disgust. If somebody touches your voting document, scratches it, or grabs your voting document and tries to damage it, your vote becomes invalid. If somebody tries to steal a document, replace the name and the picture, massive voting fraud can take place. This confirms all that we have been saying all along.

“I am making it clear that the PN will not allow anybody to mess with out general election. We will never allow this to happen. I am publically placing all responsibility, directly, on the Prime Minister. You entered the role, now you must take responsibilities for all that is taking place. I expect that immediately, the Electoral Commission ensures that this grave defect that could affect this election is remedied now. Do what needs to be done for this election not to be tampered with.”

Dr Busuttil remarked that he was proud to see thousands of young persons present at the mass meeting which took place in Balzan last Sunday.

He reacted to criticism levelled by many members of the public that the political parties are offering anything in this hastily called election, saying that the rampant corruption is the deciding factor of this election.

“Both parties are offering proposals. You must choose on whether you want more years of corruption, on honesty, sincerity and integrity. We will decide the upcoming general election not on proposals, but on principles.”

He said Dr Muscat is promising everything to everyone, “but he cannot promise honesty because he does not know what that means”.

Reacting to criticism that the PN does not have any fresh proposals, Dr Busuttil exclaimed:

“We have great proposals. We have already started rolling them out, and will continue to do so each week. We will continue to offer proposals that make sense, after listening to genuine concerns,” he shouted over loud applause and cheering from the crowd.

A small crowd gathered outside of the tent where the activity took place, with a number of local residents enjoying their evening tea out on the balcony in order to hear the speeches being delivered this evening by the PN.

Dr Busuttil acknowledged that the PL’s initiative of free childcare for working mothers is a good idea, but he called it complete. Dr Busuttil said that those mothers who have more than one child, and maybe one is suffering from autism or another ailment which requires a lot of attention. “Why shouldn’t this stay-at-home mother benefit from free childcare?”

“This service will be expensive, we would not make it obligatory for parents to send their children to childcare centre

“We will increase children’s allowance from €450 to €550, and for those really in need we will add it by €200 for those who really need it.”

He also made reference to the proposal whereby not only maternity leave would be increased to 22 weeks, but men would get four weeks instead of the measly day that is currently on offer.

Turning to sick leave, he said:

“I am fed up of working with parents who tell me what problems it causes when their children are sick. Nobody plans for a sick child, you wake up in the morning and find your child sick with temperature. What do you do? People either illegally take sick leave or try and take normal leave. For these parents I say there is no need to inadvertently abuse of the system, but you should be able to take sick leave when your child is sick.”

The crowd again began to cheer loudly after Dr Busuttil proudly quipped that the PN does not have its attention taken by FKK Acapulco, but it is focusing on the people.

FKK Acapulco is the name of the German brothel where journalist and blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia alleged that was visited by Minister Chris Cardona and his aide Joe Gerada while they were supposed to be on a state visit. Both vehemently denied the allegations and libels have been filed in the hopes of legal remedy.

He ridiculed the Prime Minister for failing to acknowledge that when there are no schools open, the problem of traffic is far diminished, referring to the PN’s proposal to make transport free for school children.

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Deputy leader Mario de Marco stressed that the upcoming election is one being fought between Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Malta's national interests.

"3 June election is not an ordinary election, it is not simply between the choice of one party over another. It is not simply about one leader versus another. This election was called a year earlier by Prime Minister Muscat not because this was his plan, but he needed to use this election as a rubber to erase the stains and corruption by his government over the past four years," Dr de Marco said.

He added that one just needs to look at the circumstances surrounding the call for this snap election. "There is only one word needed: "corruption".

"Instead of doing what he promised to do in the last campaign, getting rid of corruption, he allowed his country and his party to drown in corruption. This is why we have an election a full year earlier. Dr Muscat did not have the political courage to do what needed to be done, to resign before the Magisterial inquiry is concluded thereby allowing the magistrate to do his work properly, instead he called an election, created disruptions and distractions.

"This election is not an eraser, after 3 June he will still be part of a Magisterial inquiry. There will still be serious accusations of money laundering".

He said that the multitude of promises being made by the Labour Party is almost rendered irrelevant in the light of the very serious allegations of corruption against the executive leadership of Malta.

A very energetic de Marco slammed the Police Commissioner for doing nothing in the face of several reports outlining possible kickbacks and money laundering by the PM's chief of staff Keith Schembri, to loud applause.

Barbara Buttigieg president of the women section of the PN spoke about how this election is truly about corruption, adding that it is up to the people to say no to corruption through their vote.

Children's allowance will increase by €100 and €200 for low income earners. Referring to the free childcare centre for working mothers, the PN has proposed free childcare centres for all.

"Why should a stay-at-home mother not be able to run important errands such as bank appointments because they cannot afford childcare?"

"Right now if a mother is taking sick-leave because their child is sick they are breaking the law. With Simon Busuttil's proposals this will no longer be the case".

She also referred to the PN's proposal of increasing paternity leave, adding that Dr Busuttil has held discussions with MCESD, and is sure they will be in agreement.

Becky Micallef ex president of KSU discussed the family friendly measures.

Photos and Video by Paul Jones