MALTA: parliamentary elections Deputati, 1996

MALTA
Parliamentary Chamber: Deputati

ELECTIONS HELD IN 1996

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Chamber:

Deputati

Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):

26 October 1996

Purpose of elections:

Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament following the premature dissolution of this body on 23 September 1996. General elections had previously taken place in February 1992.

Background and outcome of elections:

On 23 September 1996, hand-in-hand with the premature dissolution of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Edward Fenech Adami (Nationalist Party - PN) announced the October election date, to take place eight months before the normal expiry of the legislature's term.
The main opposition to the right-wing PN once again came from the Malta Labour Party (MLP) headed by Mr. Alfred Sant. The dominant issue in the campaign was the country's future relations with the European Union (EU). Mr. Adami pledged to pursue Malta's EU membership application made in 1990, while Mr. Sant was committed to ending this application and also suggested removing the country from the NATO Partnership for Peace Programme which it joined in 1995. The MLP leader promised to repeal an unpopular 15% tax (VAT) on consumer goods imposed in 1995 and opposed gun controls.
The EU question especially succeeded in mobilising the electorate, which turned out in record numbers to return the socialist MLP to power with more than 50% of the popular vote. Of the 69 House seats, Labour edged out PN by winning 35. On this basis, Mr. Sant took office as Prime Minister on 28 October and a new Cabinet was formed the following day.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (26 October 1996): Elections results

Number of registered electors 271,746

Voters 264,037 (97.16%)

Blank or invalid ballot papers 2,813

Valid votes 261,224

Round no 1: Distribution of votes

Political Group Votes %

Malta Labour Party (MLP) 132,497 50.7

Nationalist Party (PN) 124,864 47.8

Round no 1: Distribution of seats

Political Group Total

Malta Labour Party (MLP) 35*

Nationalist Party (PN) 34

Comments:

*including four "bonus seats"

Distribution of seats according to sex:

Men: 65

Women: 4

Distribution of seats according to age:

21-30 years 3

31-40 years 19

41-50 years 31

51-60 years 10

61-70 years 5

Over 70 years 1

Distribution of seats according to profession:

Lawyers 17

Doctors 12

Architects 8

Notaries 5

Company directors 3

Businessmen 2

Teachers 2

Clerks 2

Others 14

No other profession 4

<<< Return to the Historical Archive page of parliamentary election results for MALTA <<<

Chamber:
	Deputati
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	26 October 1996
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament following the premature dissolution of this body on 23 September 1996. General elections had previously taken place in February 1992.
Background and outcome of elections:
	On 23 September 1996, hand-in-hand with the premature dissolution of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Edward Fenech Adami (Nationalist Party - PN) announced the October election date, to take place eight months before the normal expiry of the legislature's term. The main opposition to the right-wing PN once again came from the Malta Labour Party (MLP) headed by Mr. Alfred Sant. The dominant issue in the campaign was the country's future relations with the European Union (EU). Mr. Adami pledged to pursue Malta's EU membership application made in 1990, while Mr. Sant was committed to ending this application and also suggested removing the country from the NATO Partnership for Peace Programme which it joined in 1995. The MLP leader promised to repeal an unpopular 15% tax (VAT) on consumer goods imposed in 1995 and opposed gun controls. The EU question especially succeeded in mobilising the electorate, which turned out in record numbers to return the socialist MLP to power with more than 50% of the popular vote. Of the 69 House seats, Labour edged out PN by winning 35. On this basis, Mr. Sant took office as Prime Minister on 28 October and a new Cabinet was formed the following day.

Round no 1 (26 October 1996): Elections results
Number of registered electors	271,746
Voters	264,037 (97.16%)
Blank or invalid ballot papers	2,813
Valid votes	261,224

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Votes	%
Malta Labour Party (MLP)	132,497	50.7
Nationalist Party (PN)	124,864	47.8

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total
Malta Labour Party (MLP)	35*
Nationalist Party (PN)	34

Distribution of seats according to age:
21-30 years	3
31-40 years	19
41-50 years	31
51-60 years	10
61-70 years	5
Over 70 years	1
Distribution of seats according to profession:
Lawyers	17
Doctors	12
Architects	8
Notaries	5
Company directors	3
Businessmen	2
Teachers	2
Clerks	2
Others	14
No other profession	4