Politician Arnold Cassola has filed judicial protest which will lead to a constitutional case over recent legislation regarding the corrective mechanism on proportionality and the gender top-up in the electoral law, arguing that it is discriminatory against third party candidates.

Cassola argued that these amendments which were passed through parliament showed that the PL and PN are using women, who they don't care about, to strengthen their hold over Parliament.

He said that the rights of voters will be broken through these amendments. "For example if the situation arises where 12 women would need to be added to Parliament, then those with the highest votes will be selected to fill those seats. If the candidate I voted for would have the sixth highest number of votes and would not be from the PN or PL, that candidate would be skipped  and the person in 13th place then from the PN or PL would be elected instead of her. This means our votes to these candidates would be thrown away."

He spoke about this also affecting candidates not going out with the PL or PN due to the discrimination. "The PL and PN is treating women badly by doing this and is doing a disservice to democracy." 

 

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