Election candidates’ nominations open today

Resources Minister George Pullicino, PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil and Labour MPs Evarist Bartolo and Leo Brincat were one of the first candidates to submit their nomination for the general elections to the Electoral Commission.

This will be the first time that Busuttil will be standing for the general elections, who like Labour's deputy leader Louis Grech, have served as members of the European Parliament.

Among the several newcomers for both PN and PL, Labour leader Joseph Muscat will also be contesting a general election for the first time.

The nominations, that must be backed by four persons from the districts they're contesting, will be received for three days and objections can be made up to Friday.

The candidates must also pay a €90 deposit. If the candidate is not elected, and the number of votes polled by him does not exceed one-tenth of the number of votes polled divided by the number of members to be elected for that division, the €90 shall be forfeited and paid by the Commissioners into the Consolidated Fund.

According to the General Elections Act, the amount shall be returned to the candidate elected as soon as he has taken the oath as a member. Where the candidate is not elected, the deposit will be returned as soon as practicable after the result of the election is declared.