Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/832512
Newspaper post PHOTO CHRIS MANGION/JAMES BIANCHI SUNDAY • 4 JUNE 2017 • ISSUE 917 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY SUNDAY • 4 JUNE 2017 • ISSUE 917 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY maltatoday SUNDAY • 4 JUNE 2017 • ISSUE 917 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY today today • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY today • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY Malta votes in lowest turnout since 2013 MALTA cast ballots yester- day in a snap election called by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, a year ahead of the traditional five-year tenure, after the end of a four-week campaign that was marked by corruption allegations lev- eled at his chief of staff Keith Schembri and Muscat's wife. Labour leader Joseph Musat capped off his campaign with a celebration of the island's economic record and solid job growth, while Opposition leader Simon Busuttil, who is leading the Nationalist Party into parliamentary elections for the first time, built his campaign on a message of good governance. Voting yesterday was a calm affair, with both camps re- porting positive turnouts in traditional strongholds. Simon Busuttil traversed the islands yesterday where he greeted voters and activ- ists at various PN clubs. The PN also posted videos on Fa- cebook of expat voters who had travelled to Malta to vote, exhorting others to vote PN. Labour had a more low-key affair, concentrating instead on getting the vote out with an army of some 400 volun- teers personally calling voters to cast their ballot. Labour insiders said their exit polls reported "positive results" but the polls were not carried out nationwide. Signs of a strong turnout emerged with the midday da- ta showing an unprecedeted 52.3% of voters casting their ballot by 2pm. But by 10pm, the first indi- cations was that the turnout overall was of 91.9% - lower than the 2013 turnout. MaltaToday opinion polls have shown Muscat and La- bour leading by as much as five points, although it is the undecided vote that has given rise to speculation that this cohort of voters could deter- mine the 2017 election. YOUR FIRST READ AND FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT Don't forget to collect your copy MALTA GOES TO THE POLLS Calm day of voting in Malta's snap election, but turnout dips to 91.9% - below 2013 levels WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE PRESS Prof. Marilyn Clark on how psychological violence became one of journalism's worst enemies ELECTION 2017 What next? ANALYSIS by James Debono PAGES 10-11 EDITORIAL 27 €1.75 TURNOUTS 2017 Registered voters 341,857 Voter turnout 91.9% 2013 Registered voters 333,072 Voter turnout 93% 2008 Registered voters 315,357 Voter turnout 93.3% 2003 Registered voters 297,930 Voter turnout 95.7% Selected turnout estimates 10pm 2017 (change) Source: Electoral Commission/DOI • Final turnout was still unofficial at the time of going to print, and only unofficial data for select district and towns was available FREE WITH MALTATODAY 14 15 Joseph Muscat and wife Michelle voted in Burmarrad, while Simon Busuttil and his partner Kristina Chetcuti and son Greg, voted in Lija PAGES 2-3 1 District 91.9% (-0.8%) 2 District 93.3% (-1%) 4 District 94.5% (-0.5%) 5 District 93.3% (-0.7%) 8 District 93% (-0.6%) 9 District 91.3% (0.9%) 11 District 92.2% (0.9%) 12 District 88.3% (1.7%) Santa Venera 88.2% Ta' Xbiex 87.7% Floriana 87.8% Birgu 89%