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LS Posters on walls of buildings (2 shot)
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CUs on Posters (5 shots)
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LS Exterior Polling Station
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CU Cameraman
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LS Doctor George Borg Olivier, Prime Minister leaving building
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CU Policeman
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MS Dr Olivier shaking hands with supporters then getting into car
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LV Voters standing waiting outside polling booth
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WE REFER EDITORS TO VISNEWS PRODUCTION NO. 6432/71 (SOUND) BACKGROUNDER ON MALTA ELECTION ISSUES, SERVICED ON JUNE 9.

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: This weekend, (12 and 13 June) the island of Malta is holding its General Elections.

Polling will close on Monday morning (14 June). The key issue Maltese people are voting on is defence. Specifically, the policies that will affect future military relationships with Britain or her allies.

In her recent history, Malta has suffered economic setbacks through cuts in British defence policies and a subsequent pruning of bases on the island. In his election manifesto, Prime Minister Dr. George Borg Olivier, Nationalist Party (Conservative), has pledged to renegotiate a defence and financial agreement with Britain and keep the Mediterranean island's ports open to United States Warships.

Opposition Labour Party leader Mr. Dom Mintoff has said that for economic reasons, he would be prepared to offer base facilities to whoever wants them, in return for adequate compensation. But he specifically ruled out the United States, the Soviet Union and Italy.

There are 199 candidates contesting 50 seats in the house of representatives. At the last election five years ago, the Nationalists won 28 seats, and the Labour Party 22.