Mass spying, illicit financing and impunity: Report on the 2022 general elections

In fulfilment of its wide mandate to fight for the principles of democracy using journalism as well as legal and political mechanisms, The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation has submitted a report to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on instances of concern with the current state of Malta’s electoral system. The report complements the OSCE’s Needs Assessment Mission Report relating to the pre-electoral environment. It is by no means exhaustive and is intended to provide ODIHR with information on pressing issues which, in the Foundation’s view, also require attention.

• Report on the 2022 General Elections in Malta
• Annex 1
• Annex 2
• Annex 3
• Annex 4

Update: OSCE report published

The OSCE’s office for democratic institutions and human rights (ODIHR) has found that Malta’s institutions and practices related to parliamentary elections do not conform to international standards and good practice. Among other concerns, the OSCE report noted the “unusual timing” of tax refunds and stimulus cheques sent to voters accompanied by a letter signed by Malta’s prime minister and minister of finance and the likelihood that candidates’ election campaign costs are underdeclared.

The report also found that, despite the constitutional obligation for due impartiality in public and commercial broadcasting, Malta’s Broadcasting Authority did not take any measures to enforce this obligation during the electoral campaign period.

In April, the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation submitted a report to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The Foundation’s report complemented the OSCE’s Needs Assessment Mission Report relating to the pre-electoral environment and was intended to provide ODIHR with information on pressing issues which, in the Foundation’s view, also require attention.