Parliament approves election law amendments

Amendments to the General Elections Bill were approved by Parliament as both sides of the House rushed through the list of modifications before Parliament enters summer recess.

The debate at committee level started yesterday and was completed this evening.

Among other things, the bill now allows voting in hospitals and homes for the elderly. and a rolling electoral register which will mean an increase of around 3000 new voters, whenever the election is called.

Patients and residents in hospital and other institutions will be provided with 13 voting boxes so as to allow them to vote according to their particular district. These boxes will be available at Mater Dei Hospital, Mount Carmel, Karen Grech Hospital and the Gozo General Hospital. 

The rolling register will grant a vote to whoever turns eighteen on the eve of the general election.

The bill was moved by justice minister Chris Said and was today approved on second reading, committee and third reading.

Moreover, minister Mario de Marco also kicked off the second reading of the Classification of Films and of Dramatic and other Stage Productions Amendment Bill which is intended to amend censure laws.

De Marco said this bill grant the freedom of expression to artists and will put Malta on a par with foreign countries.