As the counting of votes proceeds in Naxxar, attention now turns to which candidates will be elected.
What stands out immediately is that Conrad Borg Manche, a former Labour mayor who threw his hat in with the Nationalist Party in the last three weeks of the campaign, is doing exceptionally well in the two districts he is contesting, and will likely have a seat in Parliament.
This is a district by district account as at 2.15pm.
District 1
Keith Azzopardi Tanti for Labour and Darren Carabott for the Nationalist Party are ahead of the pack, followed by Paula Mifsud Bonnici (PN), Nigel Vella (PL), Deo Debatista (PL) and Alex Perici Calascione. The indications are that the PL will win three seats.
District 2
It is more difficult to assess a district where the leader of a party is contesting, as here PL leader Robert Abela is way ahead. Behind him, Clyde Caruana, Glenn Bedingfield and Alison Zerafa Civelli, in that order, are ahead of other candidates. For the PN, Stephen Spiteri will be getting the only seat for the PN in this district.
District 3
Chris Fearne is consolidating his position here for Labour, with Chris Bonett, Owen Bonnici, Carmelo Abela and Andy Ellul following. Stephen Spiteri, here again, is leading for the PN, with Janice Abela Chetcuti and Ray Gatt following. There is a chance that the PN wins a second seat here. Labour had won four seats in 2022.
District 4
Mark Anthony Sammut for the PN has picked up the most votes in a predominantly Labour district, with Byron Camilleri, Chris Fearne, Jonathan Attard and Chris Bonett following for Labour. Michael Piccinino is in second place for the PN. Here again, the PN has a chance to win a second seat. Labour had won four seats in 2022 her as well.
District 5
Again, Robert Abela has a massive advantage over the rest of the Labour candidates, with Omar Farrugia and Miriam Dalli following at a distance. Toni Bezzina is leading the way for the PN followed by Conrad Borg Manche and Stanley Zammit.
District 6
Jerome Caruana Cilia for the PN has obtained the highest number of votes so far, with Siggiewi mayor Julian Borg following. For Labour, Ian Borg, Silvio Schembri, Rosianne Cutajar and Malcom Paul Agius Galea are in the running.
District 7
PL deputy leader Ian Borg had won the most support here, with Malcolm Borg Agius Galea following. For the PN, Adrian Delia is comfortably ahead followed by Ian Vassallo Hagi and Rebekah Borg.
District 8
Adrian Delia is one again leading the pack for the PN, followed by Beppe Fenech Adami, while Justin Schembri, Julian Borg and Ivan Castillo are close to each other. Clyde Caruana is doing well for Labour followed by new candidate John Grech.
District 9
Clifton Grima and Michael Falzon, as expected, are miles ahead for the Labour Party. For the PN, Joe Giglio, Alex Perici Calascione and Eve Borg Bonello are in the lead.
District 10
Conrad Borg Manche is on top in this district for the PN, followed by Joe Giglio, Mark Anthony Sammut and Graham Bencini. Here again, Clifton Grima and Michael Falzon dominate for Labour, with Jo Etienne Abela following.
District 11
Miriam Dalli is in the lead here for Labour, with Anthony Agius Decelis likely to make a return to Parliament at the expense of Alex Muscat and Romilda Zarb. For the PN, Ivan Bartolo has done better than Bernard Grech, with Rebekah Borg following.
District 12
Alex Borg has obtained, by far, the highest number of votes in this district, and vote inheritance will determine the other PN candidates to be elected. For Labour, Jonathan Attard, Alicia Bugeja Said, Franco Mercieca and Carlos Zarb are fighting for two seats.
District 13
Alex Borg, here again, has obtained the great majority of PN first preferences, and it all depends on how his votes are inherited. For Labour, Clint Camilleri, Anton Refalo and Jo Etienne Abela are on top in what should be a highly contested district.