WATCH: PN to take voting documents claims to OSCE

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The Nationalist Party will be reaching out to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to report how voting documents in Malta are missing “basic security features”.

In a press conference held earlier in the day, deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami said that tests carried out on voting documents confirmed that the ink could “be wiped off”.

PN leader Simon Busuttil, as well as Fenech Adami, blamed Prime Minister Joseph Muscat for the claims, with Busuttil warning his supporters that there could be “electoral fraud”.

Their comments were delivered before an urgent meeting of the Electoral Commission was held.  Shortly after 8pm, the Electoral Commission – which is composed of members nominated by Labour and the PN – said that the commission and party delegates were “satisfied” with security features of the voting document.

But standing before the crowd that gathered in Hamrun, Busuttil said that the PN was grievously concerned by the claims and even warned the electorate to be careful.

“If someone tries to threaten you, and grabs your voting document and pours [methylated] spirit over it, your vote will be lost,” he said, warning his audience of “possible fraudulent elections”.

“This is a serious situation and when Fenech Adami flagged the matter, no one said he was wrong. They confirmed what we were saying… and we always know what we’re saying,” he said.

During the press conference, Fenech Adami said it was the Electoral Commission had contacted both parties to let them know what had happened.

Raising his voice, Busuttil said he was making it “absolutely clear” that he won’t be allowing anyone to tamper with the general election.

“I am holding the Prime Minister responsible for these obscenities. I expect the Electoral Commission to look into the matter immediately. This could seriously affect the electoral process.”

He added that he would be reporting the matter to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Whilst recounting the proposals presented by the PN earlier in the day, Busuttil described the pledge to offer free childcare for all – including to children whose parents do not work – as one “of equality”.

“This is a huge proposal… it will be a huge decision that will cost millions. We won’t be imposing anything on anyone and it will be up to parents to decide.”

Busuttil added that another measure of equality was giving free school transport to all children, include those attending private schools.

“How come Joseph Muscat hasn’t realised that we do not experience traffic when schools are closed? Of course he doesn’t… he’s busy with Panama,” he told a cheering crowd.