News • 19 January 2003

Attacking pensioners’ votes

- APAN President Anthony Borg says Labour is making a fuss

By Matthew Vella

A Well-known and popular Labour activist, Gigi Gauci, who is in his 91st year, spoke to MaltaToday about the ordeal currently facing pensioners being questioned about their mental sanity before the next general elections.

"I have so far received three letters asking me to face a medical board to certify my mental health.

"The first letter was from the electoral commission, telling me that I had to pass a medical board, or else accept to have them visit me at home. I subsequently have received two letters by registered mail. One of them informed me that my vote had been effectively cancelled on grounds of mental infirmity.

"The other notified me that I had to be present in court in front of Magistrate Peralta to justify my mental sanity."

Expressing his dismay at the state of events, Mr Gauci was as poignant as he was fervent in his defence of his mental state:

"This is a vile act targeted at senior citizens. I know that I am still sane. I still hold the post of treasurer of the Labour Party Veterans’ Association. I have also just published a book, Xhieda tas-Seklu, as well as having contributing regular articles to L-Anzjan and the parish newsletter. I know that I am not mentally deficient."

Mr Gigi Gauci is preoccupied with the fact that many people are not aware of their rights and what they can do in order to stop their vote being anulled.

"Many people have never heard of this. It is creating physical discomfort for many senior citizens who have to go to Court in Valletta and face a magistrate."

Mr Gauci said he is now following the Labour Party’s directives, which is assisting those pensioners whose votes have been put into peril.

Borg sceptical of MLP claims

Another prominent senior citizen, APAN President Anthony Borg, told MaltaToday that what has been happening is perfectly legal.

"I just don’t understand why the Labour Party is making all this fuss. It is perfectly within the parameters of the law for parties to file applications in court if it has suspicions about voters’ mental health.

"I know it’s not a nice thing having to have one’s mental sanity verified, but both the PN and the MLP have made applications to the courts, whilst only Labour is protesting."

Mr Borg said he knew Mr Gigi Gauci very well, and that he met him regularly as a personal friend.

"There is nothing new about what is happening. Checking voters is not illegal. It is the same process as always. I can’t understand why Labour is acting this way when they know that there is nothing illegal about this."

matthew@maltamag.com