Mellieha care home Matron rebuts all referendum influence accusations, Electoral Commission silent

Vassallo was at the centre of a fast-developing scandal as the divorce referendum was unfolding, accused of influencing voters in the care home where she is stationed bu misrepresenting the referendum question.

In a letter sent to the Independent, she rebutted the accusations: “I categorically deny having ever asked any residents of the home whether he or she wanted to divorce.”

“The question put to each resident – in the presence of the Electoral Commission representative, the home’s secretary, a police officer and a representative of the Labour and Nationalist parties – was whether he/she wanted to vote in the divorce referendum. All these persons have made a statement to the police inspector and to an electoral commissioner who investigated the unfounded allegation.”

Vassallo’s letter continues “It is untrue that Ms Vassallo influenced or attempted to influence any resident of the home about how they were going to vote. She never discussed the subject with any of the residents except to ascertain whether they required transport to their respective polling booths.

“It is absolutely untrue that the representative of the Electoral Commission admitted that Ms Vassallo ever asked any resident ‘Do you want to get divorced?’

“There was no polling booth at the Mellieħa home as reported. All residents who did not have transport were provided with transport, accompanied by a representative of both the Labour and Nationalist Parties to the respective polling booth of each resident.”

The report also highlights the Chief Electoral Commissioner Saviour Gauci’s approach to the allegations – which prompted calls for an investigation by Moviment Iva members.

“In matters concerning the Electoral Commission, when the Commission has something to report, it does so through a press release,” Gauci, a public servant selected by the Prime Minister, was merely reported as saying.