Statistics chief postpones release of government finance, unemployment data on ‘reflection day’

The National Statistics Office will not be publishing the government finance and unemployment data scheduled on Friday “in observance of reflection day”.

In what is ostensibly an unprecedented decision, the NSO will postpone the publication of these two data sets until after the general election.

Malta votes on Saturday 30 May, with Friday being the silent day when political campaigning is banned at law.

The Government Finance January-April statistics and the Registered Unemployed data were set to be released on Friday 29 May, according to the NSO’s online calendar. But a note published last week now states that these two data sets will be released on 3 and 4 June respectively instead. The NSO will still be publishing GDP figures as scheduled on Thursday 28 May.

NSO Director General Etienne Caruana defended his decision to postpone publication when asked why was it relevant that official statistics are not published on reflection day.

“I took this decision last week, as a matter of prudential judgement, prior to having the draft news releases in hand,” Caruana told MaltaToday. He added: “I considered it inappropriate to publish official statistics at a time when policymakers would not be in a position to react to the information we publish in a timely and meaningful manner. This consideration was central to the decision-making process, and the public was informed accordingly in keeping with principles of good statistical governance.”

Caruana insisted the postponement was “guided by principles of responsibility and good statistical practice”. He said the aim was to ensure that official statistics “continue to serve their intended purpose effectively and appropriately”.

The director general said the postponement was in line “with the spirit” of Article 114(1) of the General Elections Act.

The article cited by Caruana prohibits activities capable of influencing voters immediately before—popularly known as silent or reflection day—and on election day proper but it does not specifically bar official statistics from being released.

Article 114(1) reads: “No person shall address any public meeting or any other gathering whatsoever in any place or building accessible to the public, or on the broadcasting media, on any matter intended or likely to influence voters in the exercise of the franchise, or publish or cause to be published any newspaper, printed matter or other means of communication to the public containing any matter aforesaid, or issue or cause to be issued any statement or declaration on any matter aforesaid or knowingly distribute any newspaper, printed matter, or other means of communication, or any statement or declaration as aforesaid.”

Any person who breaches the law shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding €1,164 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.