The Electoral Commission in Malta has sought the views of AD in view of a letter sent by EU Commissioner Viviane Reding to the Maltese government concerning transparency and the democratic legitimacy of the European elections. In response, AD Chairperson Prof. Arnold Cassolahas written to the Electoral Commission with the AD proposals. Prof. Cassola said: “Alternattiva Demokratika-The Green Party is in total agreement with Commissioner Viviane Reding that in order to ensure that the citizen is closer to the EU institutions as well as to strengthen the links between EU citizens and the democratic process of the Union it is essential that voters are provided with information about national political parties’ European affiliations and that this affiliation should be indicated on the ballot sheets used in the elections.”
Prof Cassola concluded: “Alternattiva Demokratika is therefore proposing an amendment in the Maltese electoral law for the European Parliament elections, whereby the space allowed for party logos on the ballot sheet is to be increased to ensure that both the national party logo and its European affiliation logo are included. The amendment must also ensure that the two logos are printed in full colour so that the voter can clearly recognise the affiliation.”
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Il-Kummissjoni Elettorali talbet l-opinjoni ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika wara ittra li ntbagħtet mill-Kummissarju Ewropea Viviane Reding lill-Gvern Malti dwar it-trasparenza u l-leġittimita` demokratika tal-elezzjonijiet Ewropej. Bħala risposta, iċ-Chairperson ta’ AD, Prof. Arnold Cassola kiteb lill-Kummissjoni Elettorali bil-proposti ta’ AD. Prof. Cassola qal: “Alternattiva Demokratika-The Green Party taqbel totalment mal-Kummissarju Viviane Reding li biex iċ-ċittadini jersqu aktar qrib l-istituzzjonijiet Ewropej u sabiex jissaħħu r-rabtiet bejn iċ-ċittadini Ewropej u l-proċess demokratiku tal-Unjoni, jeħtieġ li l-votanti tingħatalhom informazzjoni dwar l-affiljazzjoni tal-partiti politiċi nazzjonali mal-Gruppi parlamentari Ewropej u li din l-affiljazzjoni għandha tkun indikata fuq il-karta tal-voti li jintużaw waqt l-elezzjonijiet.”
Prof Cassola żied jgħid: “Alternattiva Demokratika għalhekk qiegħda tipproponi emenda fil-liġi elettorali Maltija għall-elezzjonijiet tal-Parlament Ewropew, fejn l-ispazju allokat għal-logo tal-partit fuq il-karta tal-vot jiżdied biex b’hekk kemm il-logo nazzjonali tal-partit kif ukoll dak tal-partit Ewropew li miegħu ikun affiljat ikunu jistgħu jiġu inklużi. L-emenda trid ukoll tiżgura li ż-żewġ logos jiġu stampati bil-kulur biex il-votanti jkunu jistgħu jagħrfu l-affiljazzjoni b’mod ċar.”