While parties strenuously deny ever giving out any electoral favours, it is clear that the practice remains alive and well as the fight for votes in next week’s general election continues.

The latest evidence of this has come in the form of a screenshot posted by a PN candidate, showing a man share in a Labour Party supporters group how he had spoken to the authorities to get an expedited medical operation for his “Labourite brother.”

The post was made in a group called ‘Election 2022 Will Vote Labour’ and was shared to Facebook by PN candidate Mark Anthony Sammut.

The screenshot shows someone sharing a screenshot, saying that he had done “nothing special”, and that he had simply “spoken to the person concern and we assisted him.”

“He was very hurt and angry.  When I see someone of my Labourite brothers in need I cannot remain quiet. Let’s keep working friends, and we’ll manage,” the person wrote.

The person posted a screenshot of a Facebook chat which he was involved in, wherein another person messages saying: “I cannot believe it.  They phoned this morning, and I will have the operation next week.  Thank you so much.  I don’t have enough words to thank you.”

The poster replies to the message by saying “I am happy to hear it my friend… I didn’t do anything special, but that I see my Labourite brother be assisted is enough for me to be happy.”

“I like to see people help each other.  But how much nicer would it be if the help were for my “Maltese brother” rather than my “Labourite brother”?  Especially when it comes to sensitive things like operations,” Sammut said.

“Why does even how your health is treated depend on which Minister you speak to rather than on the urgency of the case?,”  he added.

It is not at all unheard of – in fact it is quite common – for MPs and even ministers to have members of their own office call up constituents in the run-up to elections to see whether they “need anything.”

PL MP Oliver Scicluna two months ago took to Facebook to express his anger and offence at people offering him their vote in exchange for favours, saying that this is a practice and mentality which needs to stop.

His post drew a lot of positive reactions, including from Labour Party deputy leader Daniel Micallef, who said that this is why there is the need for a change in the electoral system.

“To change culture, we need to change the system.  It’s important to not let the system change you,” he said.

However, since the election has been called, many have reported how they are being called by the offices of certain ministers asking “whether they need anything”, with the implication being that they would get what they need in return for their vote in the general election.

The practice is illegal, but nobody has ever been prosecuted in connection with it.