Alex Borg has claimed victory in the Nationalist Party leadership race, although official results are still to be announced.
Unofficial results show two candidates close to each other in terms of preferences, although Alex Borg seems to have a slight lead over Adrian Delia.
The difference between the two is minimal, with Borg unofficially ahead by a few tens of votes.
After Borg’s claim, a party spokesman said that the party has not issued “a result through it’s media because it is too close to call”.
Borg’s supporters burst into chants shouting his name just before 1am, indicating that the word had spread from his team that he had won the leadership race.
The Electoral Commission responsible for the election is now proceeding with the counting of the votes which will determine who will lead the PN.
In comments to Net TV at 2.40am, Callus said that the result was close and the difference between the two candidates was a “few tens”. The provisional result has been passed on to the candidates for their approval. If they accept it, the commission will make it official.
Callus did not say who of the candidates is in front.
The possibility of a request for a recount at this stage cannot be ruled out, given that the result is close. But this will have to wait until the official results are made kniwn by the commission.
The Nationalist Party electoral commission said that the number of voters totalled 17,862 from the eligible 20,795, for an 86% percentage.
Soon after the voting closed, Mario Callus, who heads the commission, said that the result was expected by 11-11.30pm. But by 1.30 pm the official results was still unknown.
Alex Borg and Adrian Delia are the two contestants, and both were at the PN headquarters to follow the procedures.
The two exchanged greetings outside the party headquarters to the applause of supporters who gathered outside.
In comments to NET TV, outgoing leader Bernard Grech said that he will be staying on as an MP.
