Malta ‘slammed’ in EU report outlining lack of rights for voters in EP elections

An EU citizen’s disenfranchised voting rights was used as an example of how the Maltese authorities failed to respect common principles in the organisation of European Parliament elections.

Ruta, who is Lithuanian and is living in Malta, was listed in the report ‘Dismantling the obstacles to EU citizens’ rights’, after she was refused the right to vote in the EP elections in 2008.

“She is refused this right because she does not possess a Maltese identity card, as required by domestic legislation,” the report states.

Under current EU rules, EU citizens who have moved to another Member State and wish to stand as candidates in European Parliament elections must obtain from the Member State of origin proof of not having been deprived of their electoral rights.

In addition, current EU rules provide for procedures aimed at preventing double candidatures and double voting. These procedures can often result in an unnecessary bureaucratic burden.

“When registering citizens on the electoral roll, some Member States require EU nationals coming from other Member States to fulfill conditions which prevent them from exercising voting rights under the same conditions as their own nationals (possession of a national identity card, obligation to renew registration for each European election, etc.).”

The EU is also looking into the matter that Malta does not appear to adequately inform EU citizens about their voting rights. EU citizens who live in a Member State other than their own have the right to vote and stand as candidates in European Parliament elections.

Alternattiva Demokratika noted that Malta “had been slammed by the EU for its lack of respect of voters’ basic rights.”

AD’s spokesperson for international affairs Arnold Cassola said the report states that Maltese nationals are disenfranchised if they live in another Member State for a certain period of time. 

“It is about time that the horrendous practice of the parties led by Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat of trying to strike off the electoral register the ‘supporters’ of rival political parties when abroad for a certain time, ends immediately,” Cassola said – himself having been the subject of a writ from the Labour party in 2003 to prevent him from voting, after spending over 18 months away from the islands in his Brussels posting with the Green party.

“The shameful manipulation of Maltese electoral laws also targets EU residents in Malta.  The Commission has noted that Malta, amongst other member states, appears not to adequately inform EU citizens who live in our country of their right to vote and stand as candidates in European Parliament elections.

“In fact, according to this draft report, when registering citizens on the electoral roll, Malta is requiring EU nationals coming from other Member States to fulfil conditions which prevent them from exercising voting rights under the same conditions as Maltese citizens (possession of a national identity card, obligation to renew registration for each European election, etc).”