The Labour Party’s electoral commission yesterday announced that all members whose membership was paid up as of June 2007 are eligible to contest the election for Labour leader and deputy leader.
Yesterday’s statement quelled doubts of whether former deputy leader George Abela will be able to contest the elections given that he is not a party delegate. Abela has been a regular paid-up member of the party.
In its terms of reference, the electoral commission said that the Labour media will have to give equal opportunity and adequate space to each contestant, and will be subject to the scrutiny of the group appointed by the commission to monitor the election.
Party committees and branches will also be obliged to meet up with anybody who is interested in contesting the party leadership, and to summon delegates from the local, district or branch Labour committees to the meeting.
Any meetings in connection with the contender’s campaign will have to be notified to the electoral monitoring group.