|
news
Local
councils elections 2002
<
continues from front page
|
Percentage
Voter Turnout
|
| Locality |
1999 |
2002 |
Change |
|
Valletta
|
69 |
71 |
2
|
|
Senglea
|
70 |
78 |
8 |
|
Zebbug
|
71 |
75 |
4 |
|
Zejtun
|
68 |
73 |
5 |
|
Balzan
|
79 |
72 |
-7 |
|
Dingli
|
79 |
79 |
0 |
|
Ghajnsielem
|
76 |
78 |
2 |
|
Ghasri
|
n/e
|
85 |
n/a
|
|
Iklin
|
74 |
74 |
0 |
|
Kirkop
|
79 |
84 |
5 |
|
Marsa
|
64 |
69 |
5 |
|
Mellieha
|
74 |
74 |
0 |
|
Mqabba
|
72 |
73 |
1 |
|
Nadur
|
78 |
83 |
5 |
|
Pembroke
|
68 |
75 |
7 |
|
Qrendi
|
81 |
84 |
3 |
|
St
Julian's
|
61 |
62 |
1 |
|
St
Paul's bay
|
54 |
52 |
-2 |
|
Sta
Venera
|
70 |
70 |
0 |
|
Ta'
Xbiex
|
73 |
74 |
1 |
|
Xewkija
|
71 |
80 |
9 |
|
Zurrieq
|
67 |
73 |
6 |
Yet, this was only a provisional prevision based on the understanding
that the turnout in traditionally Labour strongholds was much
higher than in 1999.
The Labour party must improve on its 46% registered in 1999 to
declare a victory.
In 1999, the Nationalist party won an overall majority with 48.4%.
The Independents managed a handsome 5.6%. Yet, that election was
held only six months after the general election with morale in
the Labour Party at its lowest ebb.
During this campaign the Nationalist Party machinery argued that
the localities were primarily Labour strongholds, even though
it had won a majority there.
The Labourites denied this and focused their campaign on the
number of projects by percentage size implemented by Labour councils
when compared to Nationalist councils.
The Nationalist party put all their energies in the Zebbug council,
encouraging the media to focus on what came to be known as the
‘culvert scandal.’ Yesterday, Zebbug saw an increase
of 4% in the number of voters.
The localities, which noted a significant decline included Balzan
(-7%) and St Paul’s Bay (-2%).
The localities which noted an increase were Pembroke (+7%), Ta’
Xbiex (+1%) Valletta (+2%), Zebbug (+4%), Zejtun (+5%), Zurrieq
(+6%), Ghajnsielem (+2), Iklien (+3%) Senglea (+8%), Kirkop (+5%),
Mqabba (+1%), Nadur (+5%), St Julians (+2%), Qrendi (+2%) and
Xewkija (+9%).
Continues on pages 2,7,20
The locality of Mellieha remained unchanged.
The only new comer in the local elections are Alternattiva Demokratika,
but their presence is not expected to dent the global average
since they have only fielded four candidates. But it could determine
votes on a local level.
There are also a number of Independent candidates, seven in all,
down from 15 last time.
The lack-lustre electoral campaigns did nothing to excite the
public but it engaged most of the top leaders in local debates
restricted most of the time in their respective party clubs.
There appears to have been more consensus on participation in
the local council elections.
By early this morning all the results will be known and party
leaders will address the media. It waits to be seen how and in
what fashion the results, which reflect a third of the electorate,
will be interpreted.
|
