How voting works in Malta

Malta General Election · 30 May 2026

1. The voting system

Malta uses the Single Transferable Vote (STV) — a form of proportional representation where you rank candidates in order of preference. You don't just pick one candidate; you number them 1, 2, 3, and so on.

13
Electoral districts
5
MPs per district
65
Total seats (minimum)
Bonus seats: The Maltese Constitution provides for additional seats to ensure that the party winning a majority of first-preference votes also wins a majority of seats. This means the total number of MPs can exceed 65.

2. Your ballot paper

Your ballot lists all candidates standing in your district, grouped by party. You write a number next to each candidate to show your preference — 1 for your first choice, 2 for your second, and so on.

  • You must give a first preference (number 1) — this is the only mandatory part.
  • You can number as many or as few candidates as you like after that.
  • You can vote across party lines — your preferences are not limited to one party.
Example ballot (simplified)
CandidatePartyYour preference
Candidate APL1
Candidate BPL3
Candidate CPN2
Candidate DPN
Candidate EADPD4

3. How the count works

The count uses the Droop quota — the minimum number of votes needed to guarantee a seat.

Droop quota formula
Quota = (Total valid votes ÷ (Seats + 1)) + 1
Example: 10,000 votes, 5 seats → Quota = (10,000 ÷ 6) + 1 = 1,668
  1. Count 1: All first preferences are counted. Any candidate reaching the quota is elected.
  2. Surplus transfer: If an elected candidate has more votes than needed, their surplus votes are transferred to the next preferences on those ballots.
  3. Elimination: If no candidate reaches the quota, the candidate with fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are transferred.
  4. Repeat until all 5 seats are filled.
Your vote always counts. Even if your first-choice candidate is already elected or eliminated, your ballot passes to your next preference. No vote is wasted.

4. Voting across parties

You are completely free to give preferences to candidates from different parties on the same ballot. This is legal and your ballot will be counted normally.

Some parties publish "voting guides" suggesting you give all your later preferences to party candidates — but you are under no obligation to follow these. Your ballot is secret.

Cross-party voting is legal. Numbering a PN candidate 1 and a PL candidate 2 on the same ballot is perfectly valid.

5. What invalidates a vote

Your vote will be invalid if you:

  • Mark two candidates with the number 1 (duplicate first preference)
  • Add identifying marks that could identify you
  • Mark with an X instead of a number
  • Leave the ballot completely blank
  • Write anything outside the preference boxes

Your vote will be valid even if you:

  • Only mark a first preference and leave the rest blank
  • Vote for candidates from different parties
  • Leave gaps in your sequence (e.g., 1, 2, 4 without a 3)
  • Number only some candidates

6. Districts & seats

Malta is divided into 13 electoral districts. Districts 1–12 cover the island of Malta; District 13 covers Gozo and Comino. Each district elects 5 MPs.

DistrictsAreaMPs elected
1 – 12Malta island5 each
13Gozo & Comino5
Not sure which district you're in? Use the District Finder →

When an MP leaves office between elections, a casual vacancy is filled by a count-back from the original election results — not a by-election.