Vote counting case stalls as Labour lawyer absent

The Labour Party defendants and lawyers in the case filed by the PN seeking redress over an mistake during vote counting in March 2013, failed to turn up in court today, bringing the case to a standstill as today was the defendant’s turn to present evidence.

The Constitutional case relates to errors made during the counting of votes in the last election. The plaintiffs are asking the Electoral Commission for remedies which would see the parliamentary seat gap between the government and the opposition to be reduced to seven seats. The PN are arguing that Claudette Buttigieg and Frederick Azzopardi should have been elected in the casual elections on the 8th and 13th electoral districts. Instead Joe Debono Grech and Justyne Caruana were elected.

When today’s session was called, the PL’s legal representative, Dr Paul Lia, did not turn up. Madam Justice Jacqueline Padavoni ordered the case to continue in the defendants' absence.

However, Professor Ian Refalo on behalf of the electoral commission stated he had no evidence to present. At the same time Dr. Susanne Sciberras representing the Attorney General argued that she would only put forward her evidence once the PL have concluded theirs.

The case continues on 27 March.