These Are Your Rights to Participate in Elections in Malta
General elections, local council elections, and European Union elections are held in Malta. Participation in local council elections is possible for EU citizens and citizens with British citizenship. Voters are registered in the electoral register on the respective cutoff date. EU citizens participate in the European Parliament elections. The general election for the formation of the Maltese government is reserved for the Maltese.
Elections in Malta for Foreigners – Quick Answer for Quick Readers
- Residency in Malta enables EU citizens and Britons to participate in local council elections
- EU election only for EU citizens
- All eligible voters are listed in the public electoral register
- In case of moving after the cutoff date, the polling station is at the previous residence
- Step-by-step instructions for elections in Malta
What is the Government or General Election in Malta?
According to the Constitution of the Republic of Malta, Article 60, the Electoral Commission organizes the general election. The elections for the House of Representatives are regulated in the Maltese law, Chapter 354. The 13 electoral districts each send up to 5 representatives to the House of Representatives. Eligible voters are published in the electoral register. Since 1921, the electoral system has been proportional representation using the single transferable vote (STV).
- Elections in Malta are fundamentally free and voluntary.
- The next general elections will be in 2027.
What is Elected in Local Council Elections?
City and municipal councilors and, in some cases, mayors are elected. As of 2024, Malta and Gozo have 13 districts and 68 municipalities and cities. The 117 polling stations are located in public schools. Unlike general elections, EU citizens and British citizens with residence in Malta are eligible to vote. EU citizenship complements national citizenship without replacing it. Local council elections are a way for EU foreigners to influence their local representatives.
- Elections in Malta are fundamentally free and voluntary.
- The next local council elections will be in 2029.
- EU citizens and British citizens with residence in Malta are eligible to vote.
What Do You Need to Participate in an Election?
You only need the voter card. This is usually handed to you personally by the authorities against signature 4 to 6 weeks before the elections. If you were not available, you will be informed about the pickup location of the voting documents. Other forms of identification such as the Maltese ID card or passport are not allowed.
Voter card for local council elections in Malta with the address of the polling station in Mellieha and room number 631 Alternative text: A white voter card with the designation of the polling station, electoral area, and room number. The voter’s personal data such as passport photo, address, and date of birth are blacked out.
What is Elected in the European Elections between June 6 and June 9, 2024?
The European elections take place every 5 years to elect the European Parliament. In 2024, the elections will be held between June 6 and June 9, 2024. Election day in Malta is June 8, 2024. Employees with a working day on Saturday can vote on June 6. Needy residents of nursing homes will vote at their residences on May 31, 2024. The election results will be announced live on the election results website after the last polling stations close.
These European Election Rules Apply in All EU Member States
- The election must take place over a period of four days from Thursday to Sunday.
- EU citizens residing in another EU country can vote there for their home country or for the country of residence.
- Each EU citizen may vote only once.
For the EU Election in Malta, You Must Apply as a First-Time Voter in Malta
The form to transfer the right to vote for the European elections to Malta is available at the electoral authority in Gozo or Msida. Alternatively, the form is available online on the government website. You send this by email to the Electoral Commission or submit it at one of the 2 electoral authorities.
How Do Citizens from Third Countries or Non-EU Countries Vote?
Third-country nationals cannot participate in local or European Parliament elections. British citizens may vote for local politicians.
What is the Electoral Register and How Can It Be Viewed?
The electoral register lists the first and last name, ID card number, and address of eligible voters. The register is updated twice a year. By entering your ID card, last name, and date of birth online, you can check if you are registered for elections, referendums, or European Parliament elections.
Step-by-Step Guide to Voting in Malta's Polling Station
Step 1: Go to the polling station
Your voter card has a three-digit number. This designates the room number in the polling station. The schoolrooms used as polling stations are numbered. Up to 10 eligible voters are allowed in the voting room.
Step 2: Polling card
Present your voter card to the election helpers and commissioners at the polling station. Your entry in the official electoral register is checked and crossed out.
Step 3: Ballot paper
You will receive the ballot paper, which is sealed on the back by the Electoral Commission. The election commissioners and helpers will explain the voting procedure upon request. If you make a mistake, you can get a new ballot paper.
Step 4: Polling booth
In the voting booth, you fill out the ballot paper in peace and secrecy. The candidates are grouped by political parties. Independent candidates are listed after the parties. When you are finished, go to the ballot box where an election commissioner awaits you.
Step 5: Ballot box
You fold the ballot paper once and drop it into the ballot box. You must refrain from a popular photo when inserting it. The photographer is ready at the ballot box where the president casts his vote.
After the election, official vehicles transport the sealed ballot boxes to the counting hall in Naxxar. There, the integrity of the ballot boxes is checked, and the counting of votes begins on Sunday.
Contact the Electoral Authority for Non-Maltese Citizens
Identità, Expatriates Unit,
Castagna Building,
Valley Road, Msida
Tel: 25904800
Ministry for Gozo,
St. Francis Square,
Victoria, Gozo
Tel: 22156121
E-Mail: [email protected]
FAQ – Elections for Foreigners in Malta
Is Voting in Malta Mandatory?
No, there is no compulsory voting in Malta. For the European Parliament elections, Belgium, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, and Greece have mandatory participation in the elections.
How Long Are the Polling Stations Open?
The polling stations open at 7:00 AM and remain open continuously until 10:00 PM.
How Many Representatives Does Malta Elect to the European Parliament?
Malta sends 6 representatives to Brussels to the European Union.
How Many Representatives Are Elected in Maltese Local Council Elections?
In 2024, 707 candidates stood for election. The number of mandates to be allocated is unknown.
How Do You Change Your Address in the Electoral Register?
The electoral register is updated after changing the address on your ID card. If this happens after the cutoff date of the election, you remain registered in the electoral register of your old residence. A change for the upcoming election is no longer possible.
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Conclusion: Citizens of the European Union Can Participate in Elections in Malta
Every EU citizen residing in a member state has the right to vote in their country of residence in European Parliament elections, even if they do not possess its nationality. For this, the citizen must be registered in the electoral register.
For local council elections, all EU citizens and British citizens are eligible to vote. Prior registration in the electoral register is automatically done by the government based on the ID card.
Maltese citizens participate in general elections.
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