The Gharb Local Council will be holding a referendum on the 8th of December, asking its residents to give their opinion regarding requests for new firework factories in Gharb.

The council said it is aware that in their locality is becoming a base for firework factories and it realises that this is an unacceptable situation for the health and safety of their residents. It is also unacceptable that the debate on this issue is reopened whenever a tragedy occurs, as unfortunately had been recently experienced… and then just forgetting everything and leaving things as they were before

The council said it feels that it has a duty and obligation to consult the residents on this subject. The council went on to say it understands that fireworks are an important part of the culture, customs and feasts, but that society has to pay for these fireworks, sometimes at the cost of people’s lives and damage to their homes, so residents have the right and duty to voice their opinion.

The Council stressed that there is a need for more frequent checks on the existing fireworks factories, on production of the fireworks, storage, and the materials used, as well as the working conditions and the qualifications of the people who work there.

The result of the referendum will be submitted to the authorities concerned and will be calculated on the criteria given by the regulations governing the consultative referendum.

The poll will take place at the Gharb Local Council and will be open to the public between 9am and 7pm. The sorting of the papers and the count will get under way at 7.45pm, Followed by the result.

Anybody whose names appears in the Gharb Electoral Register published last October 2010 will be eligible to vote. Those interested can phone to see if their name appears in the Register at the Local Council on 21560556.

ID cards must be presented when voting, even if the ID card is currently expired.

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