Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/492208
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 8 APRIL 2015 4 News NATIONAL REFERENDUM APRIL 2015 INSTRUCTIONS ON CORRECT VOTING Every voter shall indicate his choice by placing, on the ballot paper, an "X" or other mark either in the yellow box indicating an affirmative (YES) vote or in the brown box indicating a negative (NO) vote. A ballot paper shall be considered invalid if: • an "X" or other mark indicating the choice of the voter is not placed; or • an "X" or other mark indicating the choice of the voter is placed in both boxes; or • it cannot be determined with certainty in which box the "X" or other mark is placed; or • any writing or mark is placed by which the voter can be identified; or • the official stamp of the Commission is not made. ELECTORAL COMMISSION place an "X" or other mark EITHER in the box with a yellow border indicating an affirmative (YES) vote OR place an "X" or other mark in the box with a brown border indicating a negative (NO) vote. REFERENDUM 2015 MISTOQSIJA LILL-VOTANT Taqbel illi d-dispoŧizzjonijiet tar-'Regolamenti dwar Qafas biex Tiěi Permessa Deroga li TiftaĢ l-Istaěun gĢall-Kaċċa tal-Gamiem u tas-Summien fir-RebbiegĢa' (Legislazzjoni Sussidjarja 504.94) gĢandhom jibqgĢu fis-seĢĢ? QUESTION PUT TO THE VOTER Do you agree that the provisions of the 'Framework for Allowing a Derogation Opening a Spring Hunting Season for Turtle Dove and Quail Regulations' (Subsidiary Legislation 504.94) should continue in force? IVA YES LE NO For more information please call on 2122 1994 or visit www.electoral.gov.mt PN-led council 'gave Mosta three years of effective leadership' MARTINA BORG THE PN-led Mosta local council has pushed through many projects and improved on the locality's cul- tural heritage, PN deputy leader Mario de Marco told a news confer- ence at Wied l-Isperanza yesterday, adding that Mosta has one of the largest population concentrations in the country and that as such, it faces some unique challenges. "We have seen in Mosta a trend that is different from other locali- ties. Its population is ever growing and getting younger," he said. "This locality does not face just a residential challenge, but the com- mercial and touristic and cultural sectors are also very strong due to sites like the Rotunda church." He explained that three years of PN leadership had led to the com- pletion of many projects and to a rise in popularity and cultural her- itage for the area. "Wied l-Isperanza, one of the most popular and unique areas on the is- land, was renovated by means of EU funds secured by the council," de Marco said, adding that works included the repaving of the bridge, building of a walkway, installation of benches and solar lights. De Marco added that the council had also overseen the restoration of the Bistra Catacombs, the restora- tion of Santa Margherita gardens and the resurfacing of 18 roads. "The PN believes that a local council should not stop just at road resurfacing but that it should have a far-reaching vision of how to face challenges like growing populations and tourist numbers," de Marco said. De Marco encouraged residents to exert their democratic right and vote in the upcoming elections, and to choose candidates in light of the positive results achieved during the past three years. PN local councils spokesperson David Agius praised the mayor of Mosta for making the best use of the funds available to local councils and ensuring more funds for fur- ther projects. "We call on the government to strengthen local councils and give them more money," Agius added, stressing that the PN had already made suggestions on how to do this, including giving 10% of existing driving licence fees to local councils rather than the government, among others. Mario de Marco addressing the media with Mosta mayor Shirley Farrugia and David Agius (second from right) Refalo is hiding on Gozoworks, Said says MIRIAM DALLI PN secretary-general Chris Said stood his ground over the works- for-votes in Gozo, insisting he had nothing else to add to comments already given. "I have already explained my posi- tion, unlike [Gozo Minister] Anton Refalo who has been hiding from the press. The media has now re- vealed several cases involving pri- vate works carried out by the min- istry's works department and the minister has not uttered a word," Said argued. The secretary general insisted that the party's media was con- stantly receiving calls on alleged private works being carried out in Gozo by public workers. Asked by MaltaToday what was stopping the PN from going to the police with such information, a defensive Said replied that the police should inves- tigate media reports of their own accord. "The police started its investiga- tion on 8 March. I expect the police to continue investigating and inves- tigate everything," he said. Emails published by MaltaToday show that Said was told of the al- leged "works-for-votes" as early as March last year. However, Said in- sisted that the Gozitan contractor- turned-whistleblower only spoke to him about outstanding dues from the Gozo ministry for works carried out for the Gharb local council. Asked whether he had found the whistleblower's 'works-for-votes' suspicious, Said reiterated that he had already answered all questions in detail: "I now expect the media to start investigating other stories." He was equally abrasive when asked by another reporter to ac- knowledge being wrong in stating that the works-for-votes scheme did not constitute an abuse. He insisted that the Labour Party was using the case to gain politi- cal mileage: "If there truly is such a culture in Gozo, then the gov- ernment should be working on eradicating it. What about the 14 persons of trust employed by the Gozo ministry on a person of trust basis? 14 persons considered to be consultants on 'waste' and 'culture' and some of them don't even know how to read and write. But perhaps the minister needs them and needs their votes." The Gozitan MP was addressing a press conference at the PN head- quarters, during which he called for political honesty among politi- cians: "Politics need honest people and not soldiers of steel." Said was referring to comments given by former minister Manuel Mallia during a political activity on Monday evening when he called himself "a soldier of steel". "Everyone knows why this solider of steel resigned. He was forced to step down based on an inquiry car- ried out by three former judges," Said said. Referring to Cyrus Engerer's lu- crative role as sherpa to Joseph Muscat in Brussels, Said went on to add that Labour's soldiers of steel have "now become convicted criminals or individuals who were forced to resign". 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