Malta is a small island nation located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Italy. It operates as a parliamentary republic. Here is some information about the election system in Malta:
- President: The President of Malta is elected by a special electoral college for a term of five years. The President is a ceremonial head of state and has limited executive powers.
- House of Representatives: The House of Representatives, also known as the Parliament of Malta, is the country’s legislative body. It is a unicameral institution consisting of members elected by popular vote. The House of Representatives is responsible for enacting laws, approving the budget, and overseeing the government’s activities.
- Electoral System: Malta uses a single transferable vote (STV) system for electing members of the House of Representatives. Voters rank candidates in order of preference on the ballot paper. Seats are allocated based on a quota system, and candidates who reach the quota are elected. Surplus votes from elected candidates and votes from eliminated candidates are redistributed to other candidates based on voter preferences until all seats are filled.
- Voter Eligibility: Maltese citizens who are at least 18 years old have the right to vote in elections. Voter registration is required, and eligible voters must be included in the electoral register to participate.
- Political Parties: Malta has a multi-party system, with several political parties participating in elections. Some of the major political parties in Malta include the Labour Party, the Nationalist Party, and the Democratic Party, among others. Political parties play a significant role in the country’s political landscape and the formation of the government.