[WATCH] Should migrants, non-EU nationals and refugees be allowed to vote?

We asked people on Republic Street, Valletta, whether long-term migrants, non-EU nationals and refugees living here for over five years should be allowed to vote?

Should non-EU nationals and refugees be granted the right to vote in local elections?

MaltaToday hit the streets of Valletta to see how the Maltese - and a few foreigners - felt about allowing long-term migrants, third-country nationals and refugees based in Malta the right to vote at local council level.

A document issued last week by human rights group Aditus proposes, among other recommendations, that third-country nationals (TCNs) residing in Malta are provided with better opportunities for political participation, such as the right to vote at local council level.

The document, which is aimed at national policy-makers, also tackles areas such as education, labour market mobility and family reunion, as well as the political participation of TCNs.

Malta is one of 11 EU countries which do not provide TCNs with any electoral rights. Recommendations outlined in the report include allowing TCNs to vote and stand in local elections and the removal of any obstacles to their civic and political participation.

A recent Eurostat survey showed that Maltese citizens made up 93.3% of the country's total population, while the number of foreign citizens stood at approximately 6.7%.

Meanwhile, foreign population has increased from 11,999 in 2005 to 18,088 in 2010 and 20,384 in 2011.