Voting Made Easy: Hospital Patients & Elderly Home Residents Get Special Arrangements

Imagine being confined to a hospital bed or an elderly home during election time. The thought of missing out on your civic duty can be disheartening. But not this year. The Electoral Commission has announced special voting arrangements for patients and residents, ensuring no one is left behind in Malta’s democratic process.

What’s Changed?

In a departure from previous years, the Electoral Commission has introduced mobile voting units. These units will travel to hospitals and elderly homes across Malta and Gozo, bringing the polling booth to those who can’t leave their facilities. This initiative aims to increase voter turnout and ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast their ballot.

How It Works

Mobile voting units will be set up in strategic locations within each hospital and elderly home. Patients and residents will be able to vote from their wards or common areas, accompanied by a relative or carer if they wish. The voting process will be the same as in regular polling stations, with voters marking their choices on a ballot paper and placing it in a sealed ballot box.

To facilitate this process, the Electoral Commission has been working closely with hospital administrators and elderly home managers. They’ve identified suitable spaces for the mobile units and will ensure that voters are informed about the arrangements.

When & Where

The mobile voting units will be operational from the 10th to the 13th of June, covering all major hospitals and elderly homes in Malta and Gozo. These include Mater Dei Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, Gozo General Hospital, and several elderly homes such as Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi and Dar il-Karmnu in Żurrieq.

For a full list of locations and timings, voters can visit the Electoral Commission’s website or contact their local council.

Dr. Joe Gerada, Chairman of the Electoral Commission, commented, “We believe that everyone has the right to vote, regardless of their circumstances. These mobile voting units are a practical way to ensure that patients and elderly home residents can exercise their democratic right.”

So, if you’re a patient or resident in one of these facilities, you no longer have to worry about missing the election. The vote is coming to you.