After making allegations in the local media over purported trading of voting documents, on Friday Labour MP Angelo Farrugia took his allegations to the Commissioner of Police, alleging ministers were involved in the practice.
“I am here to substantiate my allegations with the commissioner of the police,” he said, while clasping some documents which he did not distribute to the press. “I have here a three-page list detailing votes sold with their respective selling price. I also have information regarding cases of political favours and bonuses given to constituents prior to elections.”
Farrugia claims the people responsible include two government ministers.
Asked to provide further details with regards to the information he was about to present to the police, Farrugia said that, “it would not be ethical to divulge details at such an early stage. I have faith in the Commissioner to investigate such matters, and of course more information should surface in due course.”
When pushed, Farrugia said he had information on hundreds of votes sold – and that prices varied. “Some were sold at €70, and some at €150. There was a specific case where a bonus of €1,500 was given to a constituent prior to elections.”
Contacted by MaltaToday, Police Commissioner John Rizzo was asked what action he is planning to take now that Farrugia passed on this information. “We are still evaluating,” he said.
Asked whether he plans to launch an investigation, Rizzo said: “We only investigate criminal matters. We will only launch an investigation if there is reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, and so far we are evaluating what Angelo Farrugia is saying. We still have to see.”
Also contacted by this newspaper was Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, who said that there should be no political involvement over the matter and that what is being implied is an issue to be dealt with by the Commissioner.
“Once there is a substantiated complaint and enough grounds to proceed on it is customary for the police commissioner to investigate, and there will be no space for my intervention on the matter. This is not a political issue, but an allegedly criminal case. I suggest we wait for the law to take its course,” he said.
Asked whether he has a political viewpoint on the fact that Angelo Farrugia said that his information concerns only Nationalist voters, Mifsud Bonnici burst out laughing: “Now this is what Angelo Farrugia is saying, and remember that he will be contesting for party leadership,” he said.
When Angelo Farrugia was asked whether he will be submitting his nomination for party leader he admitted that he is interested in contesting but that he could not yet confirm whether he will contest.
In conclusion, Mifsud Bonnici said: “If there is a criminal offence, the Commissioner will deal with it and I have full faith in him in dealing with such matters. I think the commissioner is capable and righteous enough to deal with this case.”

ddarmanin@mediatoday.com.mt