and Co~pting) (Amendmenl) Regulations, 1996

L.N. 178 of 1996

GENERAL ELECTIONS ACf, 1991

(ACT NO. XXI OF 1991)

The General Elections (Sorting of Ba1lot Papers, CasuaJ Elections

and Co~pting) (Amendmenl) Regulations, 1996

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by sections 105 and 3 of

the General Elections Act, 1991, the Pri me Minister and the Electoral

Commission have made the following regulations:-

These regulations may be cited as The General Elections ow;..

(Sorting of Ballot Papers, Casual Elections and Co-opting) (Amendment)

Regulations, 1996, and shall be read and construed as one with The

General Elections (Sorting of Ballot Papers, Casual Elections and Co-

opting) Regulations, 1991, published as the Thirteenth Schedule to the

General Elections Act, 1991, and which are herei nafter referred to as

"the pri ncipal regulations".

For paragraph (2) of regulation 2 of the principal regulations _

there shall be substituted the foUowing: -

Theexpression "first prefere nce" means the fi gure"l"

"(2)

standing alone against the name of a candidate; the expression

"second preference" means the figure " 2" standing alone against

the name of a candidate; and the expression "third preference"

means the fi gure "3" standing alone against the name of a candidate,

and so on.".

For the "Example of the method of counting the votes at an SuboCtvtion of the

election conducted on the proportional represe ntation system of the EnmplolO

principal

single transferable vote" immediately following the Schedule to the n:JIllMi"""

principal regulations . there shall be substituted the following Example: -

EXAMPLE OF THE METHOD OF ·COUNTING

THE BA1..LOT PAPERS AT AN ELECTION CONDUCtED

ON THE PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION SYSTEM

OF THE SINGLE TRANSFERABLE VOTE

(See Pari / of Regulations)

Let it be assumed that there are six members to be elected and

that there are eleven candidates , A, B, C, 0 , E , F, G, H , I, K, L.

FIRST COUNT

The ballot papers having been mixed and examined, the

invalid papers being excluded, and the valid papers sorted into

separate parcels under the names of the candidates marked with

the figure I ,each separate parcel is counted , and each candidate is

credited with a number of votes equal to the number of the papers

on which a first preference has been recorded for hi m.

The results of the count may be supposed to be as follows:-

Votes

B ... .... . .... ..... .... .............. ................ ...

F ... ........ ...... ....... ....... ......... ....... .....

H .... ............ ........ .......... .......... .......

C ..... ............ ... ....... ... ............ .........

L ....... ............... ............. .... ............

G .................................. ... ..... ........

I .. ............................ .... . ................

D ............. ............................ ........

A ....... ........... ...... .... . ............... ....

E .......................... .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .

K .. .. ... .. .. .. ..... .. ... .. .... ... ...... .. ... .. . .

Total..........................

THE QUOTA

It is found that the total of all the valid ballot papers is 348.

This total is divided by seven (i.e . the number which exceeds by

one the num ber of vacancies to be filled). and 50 (i .e. the quotient

49 increased by I, neglecting the fraction) is the "quota" , or the

number of votes sufficient to elect a member.

The votes obtained by S , F and H exceed or equallhe quota,

and they are thereupon elected.

SECOND COUNT

B has 90 surplus votes (i.e. B's total 140, less the quota SO),

and it is necessary to transfer this surplus first as being the largest.

All B's 140 papers are examined and arranged in separate

sub-parcels according to the next available preferences indicated

thereon.

In genen.l. the next avai lable preference will be the second

preference . But any paper on wh ic h the second preference is given

to either F or H , both already elected, passes to the next available

preferel'lCe after such candidates. A paper marked with I for B, 2

for H . 3 for F, 4 for I , is placed in the sub-parcel for I.

A separate sub-parcel is also fonned ofthose papers on which

no further available preference , i.e., no further preference for any

continuing candidate is sho wn, and which are therefore no t

transferable .

1be result is found to be as follows

A. I'ICXl available preferen<:e is shown fOf 0 on ..........

80 papers

..

E .. ..........

.. .. .. .. .. ............. 2 "

"

..

" ,.

"

..

K .. ..........

"

Total of traruferable papers ................................ ..

136 papeD

TouI of 'WtHraniftrabk papers .......................... ..

"

I ..

Total of B's papers ............................................... ..

Since the 10lal number of transferable papers (136) exceeds

the s urpl us (90), only a po rt ion o f each sub-parcel can be

transferred , and Ihe number of papers to be transferred from each

sub-parcel must bear Ihe same proportion to Ihe total number of

papers in the sub -parcels as that which the surplus bears to the

lotal number o f transferable papers .

In oth er words , the number of papers 10 be transferred from

each sub-parcel is ascertained by mUltiplying the number of papers

in the sub-parcel by 90 (the surplus), and dividing the resu lt by

136 (the total number o f transferable papers) giving 0 .6617647.

The process is a follows

D', sub-parcel conUliIl5 80 papm, and

hil share orlhe surplus is therefore ......

80 x 0,6617647 or 529412

E', sub-parcel contains 2 papers, and

his Wre orlhe surplus is tllefr,fore ......

2 .I'. 0.6617647 or 13235

I', sub-parcd contains 2S papcn, and

his share of the l urplllll is therefore , •• ".

2S x 0.6617647 or 16.s441

K 'I sub-parcel conlai1lll 29 papers, and

his share ortbe surplus is therefore ......

29 x 0.6617647 or 19.1912

Total ................... ,,,...............

The numbers of papers 10 be transferred as determined by

the preceding process contain decimal parts , and sioce only whole

papers can be transferred, so many of the largest of these decimal

pans, laken in order of their magni tude as will make the total

number of papcrs 10 be transferred equai to the surplus are reckoned

as of the val ue of unity .

Thus as the whole numbers determined above amount to only

88 viz. (52+ 1+16+19). or two shon of the surplus, 90, the two

largest decimal pans .9412 and 5441 are reckoned as unity, and

the nu mbers of papers actually transferred are as follows:-

To D ............................... ................ ..

53 papers

To E ............................................... ..

1 paper

To I ........ .... .......... ........... ......... ....... .

17 papers

To K ...... ....... ................ , .... , .......... , .. .

19 papers

90 papers

Total, being B's surplus ...... .

The panicular papers to be transferred 10 D, E, I and K are

those last filed in their respective sub-parcels, and. therefore al lhe

top of the sub-parcels. The papers transferred are mark.ed wilh lhe

number of the count at which the transfer is made.

These papers are added in separate sub-parcels to the parcels

of D, E. I and K. (Note: K had no parcel of original votes).

The totals of the votes credited to these candidates then

become

D ........ ........................................... ..

10+53=63

E ......................... , .... , ..................... ..

4+ 1= 5

I ........ .. ............................. ..... ......... ..

12+17=29

K ................................................... ..

0+19=1 9

The remainder or the papen in the sub-parcels (Le . those

papers not transferred), together wi th the papers on which no further

available prererences were marked are collected together and

rormed into one parcel , representing 8 's quota or votes (50).

The parcel is made up as rollows

The remainder or D's sub-parcel , 80 less S3 _ 27

..

..

E's

..

21ess 1= 1

..

.. I's

..

25 less 17 "" 8

..

..

K 's

..

29 less 19= 10

Non-transrerab le papers .... ...... .... .

Total, being S 's quota ..................

The operatio ns involved in this transfer are summarised

in the rollowing table

COUNT No. 2

TRANSFER OF "B 's" SURPLUS

Surplus ............................................. 90

Number of transferable papers ........ 136

Proportion to be transrerred '"

Surplus ....................... 90

- -

----

- = 0.6617647

,-- '1 i .

Number or transferable papers

J;;

N\IIIIber 01 . . . . . ~I'emd

ew·w·

I , .... -

iP

ActlllI N""-

...

A. c:alclllllllod

..... k ... IIN

""""'" .,

.....

nul loaiIabIe

om ...

"'

( ......... doc:i .... pm> IIUIOd

,

Z

,

,

,

,

.. m

v

n

,u,

D ............

~

II

E ............

,..,

, ............

•

" "

" "

"

~

.1911

"

K ............

,-

, ,...

..

..

Toto! n.mbo1' of

U

'"

Nw .... fliNG.

,

,.,. •

... •

...

popcn ......

,.,'"

" ... , -

- '""

-

(s.rpI.)

Notes for Electoral Commissioners

.. It will be found convenient to begin filling in the transfer

sheet by inserting the totals in the spaces marked with an asterisk.

These totals are known before the count is commenced.

t When trans ferring a surpl us all the non-transferable papers

are usually retained as part of the quota , but when the number of

transferable papers is less thtJn lhe surplus, the difference should

be inserted in the space marked with a dagger ,and acorresponding

number of non-tnlnsferable papers should be transferred to the n0n-

transferable box . These papers should be taken from the top of the

parcel of non-transferable papers and the number taken should be

shown on the Result Sheet on the line provided for non-transferable

papers.

The state of the poll on the conclus ion of th e count is as

follows:-

so (elected)

B ......................................................... .

62 (elected)

F ........... ..... ........................................ ..

H ................. ......................... .............. .

50 (e lected)

D ..................... ................................... .

63 (elected)

2. I ......................................................... ..

2S

C ......................................................... .

L ............ ...... ....................................... .

I'

K ................. ...................................... ..

G .................. ..................................... ..

A ....................................................... ..

E ......................................................... .

Total .......................................... ..

o now has 63 votes, a number which is more than the quota.

He is accordingly elected .

THJRDCOUNT

There are now two surpluses that o f F ( 12) and that of 0 ( 13).

F's surplus , though the smalle r, is first dealt with as it arose on a

prior count. F' s surplus is distributed proportionate ly among the

next avai lable preferences on F 's ori ginal 62 papers in exactly the

same manne r as in the case o f B . with the result that 9 papers are

trans ferred 10 L , 2 to C and lto A.

The papers fonning F's quota are placed together in one parcel,

which is marked with F's name.

The papers fonning lhe quota of H (who obtained an exact

quota at the first count) are likewise placed together in one parcel,

which is marked wilh H's name.

FOURTH COUNT

D's surplus (13) must now be distributed. For this purpose

only the sub-parcel last transferred, containing 53 papers, is

considered . These are examined and sorted into sub-parcels,

according to the next available preferences, with the following

result:-

A next available preference is shown for I on... 42 papers

A next available preference is shown for K on ... 10 papers

Total of transferable papers .......... .. ........ . 52 papers

I paper

No further preference is shown on ........... .

Total .......... ...... ................ .

The number of papers to be transferred from each sub-parcel

is ascertained by multiplying the number of papers in the sub-

parcel by 13 (the surplus) and dividing lhe result by 52 (lhe total

number of transferable papers); therefore

42 x 0 .25:: 105

I' s share: of the surplus ................... .

IOxO.25:: 25

K's share of lhe surplus is ............. ..

As the decimal parts above are equal, that whic h arises from

the larger sub-parcel is deemed to be the larger. l' s share of D's

surplus is, accordi ngly, II votes, and K' s share is 2 votes.

The number of votes transferred and retained are in accordance

with the simplified transfer sheet following

COUNT No.4

TRANSFER OF "D's" SURPLUS

Surplus ... ........... .................................. 13

Num ber of transferable papers ........... 52

Proportion to be transferred =

Surplus

-::0.25

Number of transferable papers

N._

Number

Number

or,.,.. or"".. for

Names of CandidalQ marked U the lIC~t . vailablc

of Popen

"'r~

retained

-- """'''''''

D',

(10 .5) IL

K ....... ... ...................... .. .. ... .........

(2.5) 2

TouI number ofTramfmtblc papers .. .. . .. ..

"

(13) 13

Number of Non-TlllllSferablc papers ....... ..

-

I

I

"

TOIllII .. ................. . ... ....

rr""',

(Surplus) (Fo<q_

Sub-parcels of 11 papers and 2 papers marked with the number

of the count at which the transfer took place are added to parcels

of I and K respectively, and the remainders (31 and 8) together

with the I non-transferable paper and the 10 papers received by 0

on the first count, making 50 papers altogether, ace fonned into

one parcel, making D's quota of VOles.

The slate of the poll on (he conclusion of the count is as

follows:-

Votes

50 (elected)

8 ......................................................... .

50 (elected)

F ..... ........................ ............... ............. .

50 (elected)

H .................. ...................................... .

o ........................................................ . 50 (elected)

I ......................................................... ..

L ......................................................... .

C .... ............ ... ...................................... .

K ....................................................... ..

G ......................... ............................... .

A ....................................................... ..

E ........................................ ........... ...... .

Total ........................................... .

FlFI'H COUNT

There being now no surplus required to be dealt with , the

Electoral Commissioner proceeds to lransfer the votes of the

candidate with the smallest total of votes. The candidate lowest on

the poll is E, with 5 votes, but since the combined totals of E and

A (5+8:: 13) are less than 14. the total of G. the next highest

candidate. the Electoral Commissionertr.l.Osfers the papers of both

E and A at the same eount.

The papers in the parcels of E and A (total 13) are examined.

and it is found that

I paper

C is marked next available preference on

G

....

..

7 papers

..

I

4 papers

I paper

Non-transferable papers ............. .

Total ................... .......... .......... .

13 papers

The operation is completed by the transfer of I paper to C . 7

paper.> to G, 4 papers to I. and the I non-transferable paper is set

aside as a separate parcel .

'The state of the poll is now as follows

Votes

B ......................................................... .

50 (elected)

F ........................................................ ..

50 (elected)

H ....................................................... ..

50 (e lected)

o ....................................................... .. 50 (elected)

I ... ...................................... ................ ..

L ......................................................... .

C ......................................................... .

G ........................................................ .

K .......................... ......... .................... . .

I

Non-transferable paper ...................... .

Total ........................................... .

SIXTH COUNT

No candidate is e lected as the result of the fifth count and the

next operation has to be determined upon. Candidates G and K

have each the same number of votes (21 ) and are lowest on the

poll . K's papers are distributed , as he obtained fewer votes than G

in the first count. From the distribution of K's paper.> (21), 3 papers

are transferred toC, [5to I. I to L, and 2 are no n-transferable. I

thereby reaches a total of 59 votes. and is elected.

lbe state o f the poll is now as follows

Votes

50 (elected)

B ........................................................ ..

F .................... .......... ............... ............ .

50 (elected)

n ........................................................ . 50 (elected)

D ........................................................ .

50 (elected)

I ........... .......... .................................... ..

59 (elected)

L ........................................................ ..

3. C .......... ..... .... ............ ............. ............. .

G ........................................................ .

Non-transferable papers ......... ..... ....... .

3. 8

Total ............. .............................. .

SEVENTH COUNT

rs surplus (9) must now be distributed.

For this purpose only the sub-parcel of papers last transferred

to I (15 papers) is taken into account .

T hese are exami ned and arranged in sub-parcels for the

conti nuing candi dates. with the following result

e is nex t available preference on .......... ..

4 papers

3 papers

L is next available preference o n .......... ..

Toml-transferab le papers .. .... .. .. ..

Non-transferable papers ............ ..

Total .............. ..

In this case the total number of transferable papers (7) is less

than the surplus (9). therefore the Electoral Commissioner transfers

the whole sub-parcels of transferable papers to the continuing

cand idates indicated thereon as nex t available prefe rence. This

accounts for 7 vOles out of the surplus 9. There is a difference of 2

papers. The sub-parcel of non-transfe rable papers is therefore

divided into two portions. one containing 2 papers (whic h form

part o rthe surplus) the other containing 6 papers (which are required

for I' s quota). The portion of 2 papers is set aside as a separate

parcel with the other parcels of non-transferabl e papers. and the

portion of 6 papers is retained to make up i's quOta (6+44:::: SO).

The number of votes transferred and retained are in accordance

with the transfer sheet following

COUNT No. 7

TRANSFER OF "I'sM SURPLUS

Surplus .................. ..... .. ............. .............. 9

Number of Irnnsferable papers ............... 7

Proportion to be transferred :lE

Surplus

- - - - - - - --= - (taken as I).

Nu mber of transferab le papers

_.

""' .... 'I

N _ of,..... er.sfcmcI

,.

ii!

...... 'I I"

Ac1uol Number

.... calculOled

marked.~

"""- .,

H

I DeciIRII

IIUlI'oillbloo

{I..araaI cIocilllllll portio ......

Wlook

•

Nwobu.

,.",

• ,

, •

• ,

-

-

C ............

-

-

L ...........

TooaI .......,.,. of

, ,

,

T_fmble

-

-

.-pen ......

/'i'1II'IIber cf Nolo·

,

,

Tra"'r • ..t>1e

•

-

t

PIIIOt' ......

". -

,,-,

..... ,'" '"

-

~

W'"

(s.rpI")

Nous for £lecroral Commissioners

• ][ will be found convenienlto begin filling in the transfer

sheet by inserti ng the totals in the spaces marked wit h an asterisk.

T hese to tals are known before the count is commenced.

t When transferring a surpl usall lhe non·transferable papers

are usually retained as pan of the quota, bur when rhe number qf

rran ifuabk ptllJ(rs is /rH than tbr surplus, the difference should

be insened in the space marked with a dagger, and a corresponding

number of non-transferable papers should be ttansferrcd to the non-

transferable box. These papers should be taken from the top of the

parcel of non-transferable papers and the number taken should be

shown o n tne Result Sheet on the line provided for non-transferable

papers.

The stale of the poll after the seventh count is as follows:-

Votes

50 (elected)

8 ................ ..... .... ................. ........ ....... .

50 (elected)

F ............ ..... ..... ......... .......... ..... ........... .

50 (elected)

H ........................................................ .

o ........................................................ .

50 (elected)

50 (elected)

I .......................................................... .

L ...... ..... ..... ...... ... ............ .... ................ .

C ........................... .............................. .

G .............. ................. .... ..................... .

Non-transferable papers ..................... .

Total ........................... .. ........... ... .

EIGHTH COUNT

There being now no surplus . the votes of G. the candidate

lowest on the poll, are distributed.

G's parcel of21 papers is found to contain 7 papers on which

C is the next preference, and 12 on which L is the next preference,

and 2 papers which are non-transferable.

Therefore 7 papers are transferred to C, and 12 to L, and 2 arc

filed;ls a separate parcel with the other parcels of non-transferable

papers.

The st:ltc of the pon is now as follows

Votes

B ......................................................... .

50 (elected)

50 (elected)

F .......................................... ............... .

50 (elected)

H ............................. ........................... .

50 (elected)

D ....................................................... ..

50 (elected)

I ............. .... ......................................... .

L ........ .......... ..... .................................. .

C ........ ......... .......... .......... ................. .. ..

Non-transferable p:lpers ..................... .

-

Total......... .. .................................

- 348

B 154 1

There being no w no surplus. C. the candidate lowest on the

poll . is excluded from the poll . as there remai ns only one vacancy

to be filled. and onl y one continuing cand idate. namely L. L is

e lecled without an y further trans fer of votes.

The fi nal resu lt is that B. F, H, D. I and L. are elected.

TI!edetailsofthe various operations in this election are shown

in the subjoined fonn of " Result-Sheet".

RES ULT SHEET

No. of Votes ... 348 No. of Seats ... 6 Quola

i>-oc-", c- ..

6dr.eo..jN.c- ..0-

)

:';i

, i • i 1 i

•

, , I. ,;

>

j ,

~

."

•

'j

1 l •• •

."

• ~. !

!

."

•

._- .

,

..

n - n · ,

- •

. »

c ._._ ....... _ " ~ -

.,

.,

.,

.

,.

,.

~

" • ."

.,

._._.~.~_

~

~

..

..

,

-

-

-

-

. "

..

.. ..

-

-

P._-_._.-

~

0 __ . ___

..

1._. __ ._ .. -

" - ."

~

M

., . " ,

__

L._ .. _._

~

" " "

~

"

..,.,.-

"".us_ '" -

'" - '" -I '" - - -I'" -

-

~,

~,

~,

l. Pja". "'0.111.10 _ 1' • • U,hN .\' ,'" f"',.,,,,~ ... <>{1..p"M"'''''' _ J, C.,",,', 1'1.>(.

l~i kot miIl·D"*" ....... ' 1.lnformaup>i _

B-L.......,...,,,, ....

""-<! '" ,., c;.,...--....Prl ... ;, .. ~ ..

M ~""'"

(j ..... -

I'HU IX-p, ..... /;,.

L .................................................................. ..

C ................................ .................................. ..

Poloz li mhumiex trasferibb li ..................... ..

B'kollox ................... .

Billi issa m'hemrnx iijed voti iejda, C, il-kandidar Ii ghandu

I-inqas numru ra' voti jigi mahrug mill-elezzjoni. Irruna billi baqa'

post banal u ma baqax iijed kandidati, hlief L, L jigi maghiul

minghajrebda trasferiment ta' vori.

lr-rii;ultat ta' I-ahhar hu illi B, F, H, D, 1 u L jigu eletti.

F'din it-'1'abeJla lar-Rizultat", li hi miijuda ma' dawn 1-

lskedi . hemm imfissrin u moghlijin il-kalkoli kollha Ii sam fdi n

il-vOlaZzjoni.

TABELLA TAR-RIZULTAT

- - + 1. 50

Nru . ta' veti ... 348

Nru. la· Postijict ... 6

Kwota

A • ____ _

-.-. .... . - _ '., I··

" • .

I ."

0 ._. __ ._ ...

'"

B ............... .

• "

• •

•

..

" ,.

., ,

,