Charles Bonello will be the sole contender for the post of Nationalist Party general secretary after a second candidate dropped out of the race.

Liam Sciberras withdrew from the contest, saying that in the interests of the party and following a meeting with leader Bernard Grech, he was withdrawing his candidacy.

Bonello, a councillor in Fgura and father of PN MP Bernice Bonello, would now only need to receive executive committee approval to take up the post.

On Wednesday, Stefan Caruana another contender, Stefan Caruana, withdrew his nomination, saying he will be a candidate in the next general election.

The Nationalist Party's present Secretary General, Michael Piccinino, announced his decision to step down from this role back in August.

He was expected to be replaced by Karl Gouder, but the party stalwart passed away just two days after showing his interest to be Piccinino's successor.