The time has come for an immediate electoral reform aimed at serving the realities of today's Malta and a people who want and deserve the best representation in Parliament and Government.

Partit Malta Progressiva said Saturday it firmly believes that electoral reform should strengthen democracy, improve representation, and ensure fairness in the electoral process. Instead, the changes proposed by government representatives in the Electoral Commission are nothing more than a blatant attempt at gerrymandering, aimed at manipulating electoral districts for the ruling party's benefit rather than addressing the systemic challenges that hinder a truly pluralistic and democratic system in Malta.

Following the last general elections and the European Parliament elections last June, it has become evident that a significant number of Maltese and Gozitans are dissatisfied with the current electoral system. That is why Cyrus Engerer, together with Clare Azzopardi Lane and Omar Rabbah, launched a parliamentary petition on behalf of NGO Il-Kollettiv calling for electoral reform - one that the Maltese Parliament has so far decided to ignore, the party said. 

Genuine electoral reform should be built on principles of fairness, transparency, and proportional representation. The current system, dominated by two parties, leaves thousands of Maltese unrepresented and disillusioned with the political process. The government's approach does nothing to address these democratic shortcomings; on the contrary, it seeks to reinforce the system in its own favour.

Partit Malta Progressiva said it is calling for immediate electoral reform in place before the next general elections - one that includes all political voices, civil society, and independent experts. Reform should not be determined by those in power for their own interests but should be designed to reflect the will and needs of the Maltese and Gozitan people.

Our proposals for a fair reform include:

• The introduction of a proportional representation system to ensure that every vote carries equal weight;
• A single national district for Malta, with Gozo recognised as a separate region that elects its representatives directly. The current district system has led to abuses by those in power, who manipulate boundaries to suit their interests. It makes no sense for communities to be split into different districts arbitrarily;
• A reduction in the number of MPs, with those elected serving on a full-time basis;
• A gender mechanism that truly works. We believe that parties should have an equal number of male and female candidates who alternate on the list using the Robson Rotation system, eliminating the risk of 'donkey voting'.

At a time when trust in political institutions is at an all-time low, it is unjust for the government to use electoral reform as a tool to entrench its power. Malta deserves a system that empowers its citizens and humble politicians that are ready to serve, not politicians who want to maintain their grip on power at all costs.

Partit Malta Progressiva calls on the public and all those who believe in democracy to reject gerrymandering disguised as reform. We urge a fair, open, and participatory process that truly modernises Malta's electoral system for the benefit of all citizens, not just the ruling elite.