Electoral Commissioner grants observer status to Greens after letter to PM

The Electoral Commissioner has consented to giving the European Greens observer status at the divorce referendum on Saturday and Sunday after the EGP's secretary-general formally wrote to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi about the refusal.

Gonzi replied to a complaint by European Greens Party secretary general Jacquline Cremers saying that he never objected to the request, but added that the Commission is "independent from government."

"I have never objected to any request made to the Electoral Commission for permission to have observers at the forthcoming 28th May referendum in the same manner and under the same parameters adopted by the Electoral Commission for the 2003 EU accession referendum. However I feel I must remind Ms Cremers that the Electoral Commission is a Constitutionally independent body that acts independently of Government."

Earlier this morning, the Commissioner was bombarded by questions from the media about the refusal to grant the EGP observer status. Visibly distressed by the questions, Chief Electoral Commissioner Saviour Gauci insisted on Wednesday that it was not on his agenda to reply to such a question, adding that the decision is “final”.

Challenged repeatedly by the press to say why the commission had not issued an international invitation for observers to follow next Saturday’s referendum, Gauci just reiterated his position that the decision was “final” and not in the public interest to know.

He added that the press briefing was about the electoral process and not about anything else. He was challenged again by most journalists present to say why he was afraid to state why the Commission had denied the Greens observer status.

In a letter sent to the Prime Minister yesterday the European Greens denounced this refusal and asked for answers as to why their request was denied. As the media continued to press Gauci on the matter, he simply declared the press briefing over, leaving all journalists still asking why he denied observer status to the Greens.

He was also challenged to compare his intransigence with the situation regarding elections in Zimbabwe. His departing statement was that he “believes in democracy” but when asked if this process was transparent, he replied “no comment.”

At the end of the press briefing the Chief Electoral Commissioner was followed by the media from the Mediterranean Conference Centre to Evans building, where he persisted in his non-reply and then ordered his security personnel to keep journalists out of the building. "Don't let them in...." he told the security men at the door as he rushed into his office.

Saviour Gauci also shrugged off questions by the media as to whether the Electoral Commission would consider as interference or breach of electoral laws, prayer vigils organised in churches on the eve of the referendum, and during voting. Gauci said that matters of that sort would be "up to the police" to enforce, and added that the Commission would only ensure adherence to the law within 50 metres of the polling stations.

He refused to give an answer as to what would the Commission's position be if the Churches organised activities on Friday, when according to law it is meant to be a day of reflection and silence.