Malta. Electoral Commission

On the 23rd of July 1849, Governor Richard More O’Ferrall appointed legal persons as Commissioners to revise the Electoral Lists and to conduct elections. On 23rd June, 1849, Governor O’Ferrall published the related Proclamation (No. I) entitled 'A Law to regulate and appoint the Election of Members to serve in the Council of Government of Malta' upon instructions issued in Westminster, London, by Queen Victoria through Letters Patent of 11th May, 1849. However, prior to 1927, the Commission members were all equal in rank and in fact, no Principal Commissioner was appointed amongst them.

The Electoral Commission is set up in terms of article 60 of the Constitution of Malta and members of the Commission are appointed by the President acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, given after he has consulted the Leader of the Opposition. The Commission is an autonomous body and in the exercise of its functions under the Constitution, it shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.

The Commission is responsible for the compiling, maintaining and publishing the electoral registers for a general election, Local Councils’ elections and elections for the European Parliament. The registers are published every six months during April and October and are correct as on 31st March and 30th September respectively.

The Commission is also responsible for the Electoral Office.The Electoral Office provides the administrative machinery and resources needed by the Electoral Commission to fulfil its obligations.

Acts of Law from the Constitution of Malta: Chapter 102 - Electoral (Polling)Ordinance; Chapter 237 - Referenda Act; Chapter 258 - Identity Card and other Identity Documents Act; Chapter 354 - General Elections Act; Chapter 363 - Local Government Act; S.L. 363.149 - Administrative Committees for Communities Regulations; S.L.586.06 - Processing of Personal Data for the purpose of the General Elections A ct and the Local Councils Act Regulations; Chapter 467 - European Parliament Elections Act; Chapter 544 - Financing of Political Parties Act; Chapter 586 - Data Protection Act.
Legal Notices related to the above Acts: L.N. 340 of 2013 - Identity Cards (Issue and Validity) Regulations, 2013; L.N. 204 of 2016 ; L.N. 91 of 2017 - Publication of Donation Repots Regulations; L.N. of 2017 - Form of Political Party Donation Return Regulations.

When Richard O'Ferrall was Governor of Malta, he managed to aquire a Council reform for the Maltese. According to the new Constitution, the Council of Government was made up of 18 members , 8 of which were to be elected by the Maltese (7 from Malta and 1 from Gozo). The first election for the Council of Government was held between the 16th and 20th of August, 1849.

(n.d.). Our History - Electoral Office. Electoral Commission Malta. Retrieved April 4, 2024, from https://electoral.gov.mt/history
(n.d.). Legislation - Electoral Office. Electoral Commission Malta. Retrieved April 4, 2024, from https://electoral.gov.mt/legislation
(n.d.). About Us - Electoral Commission Malta. Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://electoral.gov.mt/AboutUs
Schiavone, M. J. (1987). L-Elezzjonijiet f’Malta 1849-1981. Pubblikazzjoni Bugelli.