It’s 7 am on Election Day, and the usually bustling Triq il-Kbira in Żebbuġ is eerily quiet. No jubilant supporters waving party flags, no candidates’ cars cruising the streets with blaring speakers. Just a lone cat stretching in the early morning sun. Something feels… off.

Malta’s gone to the polls many times before, but this time, it feels different. Unreal, even. As I make my way to the polling station at Żebbuġ Primary School, I can’t help but wonder: why does this election feel so… unremarkable?

COVID-19 has certainly played its part. The pandemic has cast a long shadow over this campaign, with physical distancing rules and mask mandates making the usual election hustle and bustle feel like a distant memory. No more packed rallies, no more door-to-door canvassing. Instead, we’ve had virtual press conferences and socially-distanced press points.

But it’s not just the pandemic. There’s a sense of political fatigue, a feeling that we’ve heard it all before. The same old promises, the same old arguments. It’s like watching a rerun of a favorite show, but without the comfort of familiarity.

Social media should have made politics more engaging, more immediate. Instead, it’s created echo chambers where we mostly hear from people who agree with us. The vitriol and misinformation flying around online have made many of us tune out, switch off, and scroll past.

I spoke to Maria, a Żebbuġ resident who’s been active in local politics for years. She told me, “I’ve never seen people so disengaged. It’s like they’ve given up, like they don’t believe anything will change.” Maria herself is taking a break from social media until after the election. “I need a break from the noise,” she said.

So, what can make this election feel real again? Maybe it’s the small things. The chat with the polling officer as you mark your X. The sense of community as you wait in line with your neighbors. The satisfaction of doing your civic duty.

As I leave the polling station, I see a group of kids playing football in the school playground. They’re laughing, shouting, being kids. And for a moment, I feel a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this election isn’t so unreal after all.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the flags or the speeches or the social media storms. It’s about us, the voters, making our voices heard. And that’s something worth believing in.