Momentum calls for fair and accessible booking system for election travel

Momentum expresses concern at the situation faced by Maltese voters abroad who are attempting to return to Malta to exercise their democratic right in the upcoming election.

While we acknowledge that KM Malta Airlines has introduced discounted fares for voters, it is unacceptable that the booking process is restricted to a telephone hotline that is clearly struggling to cope with demand. Reports of voters making dozens of unsuccessful calls highlight a system that is not fit for purpose.

At a time when accessibility and efficiency should be paramount, limiting bookings to phone calls creates unnecessary barriers. In 2026, voters should reasonably expect the option to book such essential travel online, through a transparent and reliable system.

Momentum committee member, Graziella Spiteri, stated: “Momentum believes that every eligible voter should be able to participate in elections without facing avoidable obstacles. The current situation risks disenfranchising voters abroad and undermining confidence in the process.

We therefore call on KM Malta Airlines and the relevant authorities to:

• Immediately introduce an online booking system for election-related travel;
• Ensure adequate capacity to handle demand through multiple booking channels;
• Provide clear, timely communication to voters on how to access these services.

Democracy must be accessible to all. Administrative shortcomings should never stand between citizens and their right to vote”.

Momentum jitlob sistema ġusta u aċċessibbli għall-ivvjaġġar tal-elezzjoni

Momentum jesprimi t-tħassib tiegħu dwar is-sitwazzjoni li qed jaffaċċjaw il-votanti Maltin barra minn Malta li qed jippruvaw jirritornaw biex jeżerċitaw id-dritt demokratiku tagħhom fl-elezzjoni li ġejja.

Filwaqt li nirrikonoxxu li KM Malta Airlines introduċiet tariffi mnaqqsa għall-votanti, huwa inaċċettabbli li l-proċess tal-booking huwa limitat għal hotline tat-telefon li qed tiffaċċja diffikultajiet serji biex tlaħħaq mad-domanda. Rapporti ta’ votanti li għamlu għexieren ta’ telefonati mingħajr suċċess juru sistema li mhix adegwata.

F’żmien fejn l-aċċessibbiltà u l-effiċjenza għandhom ikunu prijorità, il-limitazzjoni tal-bookings għal telefonati biss toħloq ostakli bla bżonn. Fl-2026, il-votanti għandhom raġonevolment jistennew li jkollhom l-għażla li jibbukkjaw online b’mod trasparenti u affidabbli.

Graziella Spiteri, membru tal- Ezekuttiv, qalet: ‘Momentum jemmen li kull votant eliġibbli għandu jkun jista’ jipparteċipa fl-elezzjonijiet mingħajr ma jaffaċċja ostakli evitabbli. Is-sitwazzjoni attwali tista’ twassal biex votanti barra minn Malta jiġu esklużi u tnaqqas il-fiduċja fil-proċess.

Għaldaqstant insejħu lil KM Malta Airlines u lill-awtoritajiet relevanti biex:

• Jintroduċu minnufih sistema ta’ booking online għall-ivvjaġġar relatat mal-elezzjoni;
• Jiżguraw kapaċità adegwata biex ilaħħqu mad-domanda permezz ta’ diversi kanali;
• Jipprovdu komunikazzjoni ċara u f’waqtha lill-votanti dwar kif jistgħu jaċċessaw dawn is-servizzi.

Id-demokrazija trid tkun aċċessibbli għal kulħadd. Nuqqasijiet amministrattivi qatt m’għandhom jostakolaw id-dritt taċ-ċittadini li jivvutaw”.

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