Evidence exposed over the last weeks shows widespread corrupt voter manipulation across government entities for the purpose of manipulating elections, Nationalist MEP David Casa told the Counil of Europe. 

Casa was referring to the vote-buying scandal that corrupted a scheme intended for people with severe disabilities and the recent revelations of driving licences being issued to win votes for the governing party. 

“Both schemes show a pattern of hijacked national institutions that are geared to achieving partisan ends at the expense of the taxpayer and the safety of citizens,” Casa said in reference to both schemes.

“This is incompatible with the proper functioning of a democracy. What is worse is that over the weekend the Maltese Prime Minister called on those responsible to continue working as they have done before.

“While those who benefitted from payments for disabilities they did not have and the front line operators of the corrupt licensing scheme are being criminally prosecuted, those who masterminded and ordered the corrupt practices are not only being shielded from prosecution but are being encouraged to continue.

This marks a new low in the state of the rule of law in Malta and should be taken into account in the work of the Council of Europe in promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” concluded Casa.