On the 2^nd September 2024 the elections for the elected members of the Inġiniera Board were held. A total of 293 Inġiniera voted in these elections, representing less than 20% of the eligible Inġiniera voters (listed on the 2024 List of Warrant Holders). This is a low turnout which highlights accessibility challenges associated with a strictly physical system. The Chamber had issued a public statement and formal request on the 9^th of September 2024 to the Inġiniera Board and Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works to commission an electronic voting system for the 2026 Election of Members on the Inġiniera Board. The Chamber reiterates its position for measures which are aimed at facilitating access to the voting process.

The Chamber has met with the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works on several occasions over 2025 and 2026 to reiterate its position and its formal request for the commissioning and implementation of a validated electronic voting system for the upcoming Election of Members on the Inġiniera Board together with measures aimed at facilitating physical voting such as the extension of the polling hours to facilitate participation.

Any implemented voting system must safeguard the democratic principles, ensure transparency and honour Article 6(c) of Inġiniera Act Cap. 321 on the composition of the Board which specifies that “three members who shall be elected by secret ballot by warrant holders from among themselves”. Physical voting as currently implemented requires eligible members to drive to the polling station during hours which overlap with typical working hours and make it difficult also for those who have caring commitments or are physically not present in Malta.  The existing system does not fully reflect current realities or the needs of today’s engineering profession. The Chamber believes that electronic voting would significantly improve accessibility and support broader participation.

The engineering profession recognises the clear need to increase engagement in the Inġiniera Board elections. An electronic voting system in addition to facilitation measures added to the physical voting model is an important step in ensuring better participation in future elections and supports the needs of the engineering profession.

The Chamber of Engineers believes that such a forward-looking initiative will support increased engagement from Inġiniera with a larger voter turnout in these important elections, thereby supporting strong governance and representation within the engineering profession; a technologically advanced profession that continues to embrace modern tools and systems.