Nationalist Party ‘condemns’ claims of rigged leadership election

The Nationalist Party has denied “allegations” by leadership candidate Frank Portelli, that the election for party leader has been rigged.

Earlier today, Portelli, writing on Facebook, claimed that the leadership contest was rigged after, he said, the commission stated it would not be allowing candidates to put their stamp on voting documents.

“It’s a rigged election,” wrote the outspoken candidate. “Election PN leadership electoral commission refuses to allow candidates to put their stamp on voting documents.”

However in a statement published on Friday night the PN said that "the electoral commission for the election for leader of the Nationalist Party categorically denies the accusation that the election is rigged. The electoral commission condemns this type of declaration.”

Yesterday, speaking during a press conference in front of the law courts after filing a libel suit against Daphne Caruana Galizia, PN leadership contender Adrian Delia also implied there was a “hidden hand” acting against his candidature, insisting he was not prepared “to let anyone manipulate another electoral process”.