Malta’s parliamentary elections professionally administered but legal framework requires further review, concludes OSCE/ODIHR report

Malta’s parliamentary elections on 9 March 2013 were administered professionally and enjoyed a high degree of public trust but aspects of the legal framework could benefit from further review, concludes the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The report, released on 31 May 2013, notes that the campaign took place in an open and peaceful environment and that there were no restrictions on freedoms of association and expression. Counting was conducted efficiently and transparently.

While the legal framework is assessed as providing a sound basis for holding democratic elections, the report recommends a review of the limitations on voting and candidacy rights and, in order to comply with the 1990 OSCE Copenhagen Document, the introduction of explicit legal provisions allowing for citizen and international election observation.

The report also recommends enacting a comprehensive system for regulating party and campaign financing to enhance transparency and accountability.

Although legal amendments in 2012 revised voter registration regulations and introduced procedures for voting in hospitals and retirement homes, further consideration of how to ensure the secrecy of the vote for these voters with special needs is also recommended.

Other recommendations include the introduction of measures to promote women’s participation in politics and the decriminalization of defamation, in line with international good practice on the freedom of expression.