61

61. (1) The Electoral Commission shall review the boundaries of the electoral divisions referred to in article 56(1) of this Constitution at intervals of not less than two nor more than five years and may, in accordance with the provisions of this article, alter such boundaries to such extent as it considers desirable in the light of the review: Provided that the Commission shall carry out such a review and, in accordance with the provisions of this article, alter the said boundaries whenever Parliament has made provision altering the number of electoral divisions; and in addition the Commission may at any time carry out such a review and, in accordance with the provisions of this article, alter the said boundaries to such extent as it considers desirable in consequence of the holding of a census of the population in pursuance of any law. Provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as preventing the publication of any electoral register or any other requirments connected with the registration of voters from being carried out in accordance with the alteration, under any law for the time being in force in Malta, before that dissolution. (4) An alteration of the boundaries of any electoral division under this article shall be made in such manner as secures that, at the time when the Commission carries out its review, the number obtained by dividing the total electorate in the division (as ascertained by reference to the electoral register in force at that time) by the number of members to be returned to the House of Representatives from that division is as nearly equal to the electoral quota as is reasonably practicable: Provided that any such alteration may be made in such manner that the number of voters in that division is, at the time when the Commission carries out its review, greater or less than the electoral quota multiplied by the number of members to be so returned, but in no case by more than five per centum , in order to take account of geographical vicinity, differences in density of population and other relevant factors: Provided further that the Island of Gozo and the islands of the Maltese Archipelago other than the Island of Malta shall together be treated as one electoral division and may not be divided between two or more electoral divisions. (4A) The boundaries of electoral divisions for the purpose of any general elections to be held after the dissolution of Parliament after the 1st of September 2007 shall be those boundaries as existing on that date with such adjustments made in accordance with the provisions of the proviso to sub-article (4B) of this article as may be necessary in order that the electoral divisions for those elections shall comply with the provisions of the second proviso of sub-article (4) of this article and of article 61A of this Constitution. (4B) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article (1) of this article, the Electoral Commission shall not review the boundaries of the electoral divisions as existing on the 1st of September 2007 except until after the general elections to be held immediately after the dissolution of Parliament immediately after that date which review shall take place at such intervals from the date of the publication of the official result of those elections as provided in sub-article (1) of this article or as otherwise required by the provisions of the same sub-article: Provided that the Electoral Commission shall by the 30th September 2007 review the boundaries of the electoral divisions to the extent necessary, and only to such extent, to make such adjustments to the said boundaries in order that the electoral divisions for the purpose of those elections shall comply with the provisions of sub-article (4) of this article; and these adjustments shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this article, come into force upon the publication of the register as correct on the 30th September, 2007. any vote taken under the provisions of article 66(3) of this Constitution shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the Electoral Commission.