Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said that plans on when and how police officers will vote are the responsibility of the Electoral Commission, not the ministry.

At the end of last month, police officers were informed that they would be forced to vote in the election a week before all the nation does.

The Malta Police Union had criticised this decision, saying that it had not been consulted on the matter before a decision was taken.

Asked about this dispute, Camilleri said that his ministry had nothing to do with plans regarding voting.

In the amendments to the General Elections Act, which were enacted on 25 January, members of the Police force have to cast their vote a week before the rest of the country does.

““Why are Police Officers, once again being denied their full rights as citizens of this Country to vote after the electoral campaign closes, and after being given the time to reflect on their vote,” the union said.