This has been my second general election covering journalism, and my fourth election overall. This is always a more hectic and intense period for journalists, and I think it's definitely been a more interesting campaign than in 2022.

It felt, at least to me, that back in 2022 both parties considered the election to be a foregone conclusion. This time around, although surveys seem to indicate a big margin between the two parties, both the PL and the PN are a bit less certain of the outcome.

On a personal level, I love covering elections. There is a level of excitement that comes with covering what is ultimately the democratic process that will shape the future of the country. But it is a period which has its drawbacks: longer hours, more intense days, having political rhetoric pouring out of your ears.

The longer hours can get particularly tiring: an eight-hour shift has the potential to become a 10- to 12-hour shift as party activities drag on into the evening. It doesn't help that both the PL and PN seem to have a penchant for being almost an hour late to every single press call that they send to the media. These are things which, however, you get used to and learn to work around.

Sunday at the counting hall is the day that I look forward to the most. There is something special, at least for me, about being in the unassuming cradle of our democracy and seeing how the process plays out. Seeing and being able to report on that and all of the emotions that comes with it is one of the times that makes me grateful for the opportunity to work in this industry.