Maltese general election, 2008

Maltese general election, 2008

8 March 2008

First party Second party   Leader Lawrence Gonzi Alfred Sant Party Nationalist Labour Leader since 23 March 2004 1992 Last election 35 seats, 51.8% 30 seats, 48.0% Seats won 35 34 Seat change 0 4 Popular vote 143,468 141,888 Percentage 49.3% 48.8% Swing 2.5% 0.8%

Prime Minister before election Lawrence Gonzi Nationalist Elected Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi Nationalist

The Maltese general election for the renewal of the Maltese House of Representatives was held on Saturday, 8 March 2008. The governing Nationalist Party won a narrow victory over the Malta Labour Party.

Background

The House of Representatives was dissolved on 4 February^[1] with elections scheduled for 8 March, the same day that elections were to be held in 23 of 68 local councils.

Results

Initial exit polls and statistics suggested a very close result. Preliminary results had been expected by Sunday noon but these had to be delayed until a full first count was completed.

The Nationalist Party won with 49.33% to Labour's 48.9% a difference of 1,580 votes.^[2] Just under 2% of registered voters, 5,266 individuals, failed to collect their voting documents,^[3] so fewer than 310,000 people were eligible to vote on 8 March 2008. In total, voter turnout was 93%, the lowest in Malta since 1971.^[4]

As the Nationalist Party won the popular vote but elected only 31 Members of Parliament to Labour's 34, it was assigned an additional four seats to give the party a parliamentary majority.^[5]

Two other political parties participated in this election, Democratic Alternative and National Action, but both failed to win any seats.

Twelve casual elections were held in April 2008 to fill vacancies arising from candidates elected from two districts declining their second seat. Both the Nationalist Party and Labour each elected six members in this way, leaving the overall parliamentary numbers unchanged.^[6]

Overview

 Summary of the 8 March 2008 House of Representatives of Malta election results

Parties	Votes	%	Change	Seats	Change
Nationalist Party (Partit Nazzjonalista)	143,468	49.34	–2.5	35	±0
Malta Labour Party (Partit Laburista)	141,888	48.79	+0.8	34	+4
Democratic Alternative (Alternattiva Demokratika)	3,810	1.31	+0.6	—	—
National Action (Azzjoni Nazzjonali)	1,461	0.50	+0.0	—	—
Imperium Europa	84	0.03	+0.0	—	—
Gozitan Party (Partit Għawdxi)	37	0.01	+0.0	—	—
Independents (Indipendenti)	22	0.01	+0.0	—	—
Alpha Liberal Democrats (Alfa Liberali Demokratiku)	21	0.01	+0.0	—	—
Forward Malta (Forza Malta)	8	0.00	+0.0	—	—
Invalid/blank votes	3,415	—	—	—	—
Total	294,214	100.0		69	+4
Registered voters/turnout	315,357	93.3	—	—	—
Source: DOI, Nohlen & Stöver[7]

See also

• List of MPs elected in the Maltese general election, 2008
• Maltese local council elections, 2008
• Malta Districts

References

1. Michael Carabott, "Election on 8 March: PM shows ‘the way forward’", The Malta Independent, 5 February 2008
2. "Nationalist supporters celebrate a narrow victory", The Times of Malta, 9 March 2008.
3. "The Waiting Game: what to look out for", "The Times of Malta", 9 March 2008.
4. "Turnout drops to 93%, lowest since 1971", The Times of Malta, 9 March 2008.
5. timesofmalta.com - UPDATED: Vote counting almost completed
6. "Department of Information". Doi.gov.mt. 2008-04-17. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
7. Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1309 ISBN 9873832956097