Voting in the 23rd General Election and in some areas the Local Council elections got underway this morning, with queues at many of the 116 polling stations around Gozo and Malta.

There are just over 333,00 eligible voters, with around 6,5230 who did not collecte their voting document in time.

Those who wish to vote will be able to do so up to 10.00pm this evening and they must take their voting document with them.

In Malta, all citizens aged 18 or over have the right to vote. Foreigners who have lived in Malta for the past 18 years or those who are married to a Maltese person for a minimum of 5 years also have the right to vote.

The general elections in Malta are known for their high attendance and in fact, Malta has the highest non-compulsory General Election turnout throughout the world.

The polling stations close at 10pm and the votes are immediately taken to the Naxxar counting hall, the General Election result is normally known within the next 24 hours after the closing of the polls.

The highest number of women to get elected to the Maltese Parliament was 6, in the 1998 and the 2003 General Elections, whilst the lowest number was 1, in the 1947, 1953, 1955 and 1992 General Elections.

The longest legislature in Malta lasted for a total of 2,240 days between 1939 and 1945, while the shortest legislature lasted for a total of 173 days between 1950 and 1951.

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