Valletta, Malta ,March 08 , SPA -- Polling booths in Malta opened Saturdaymorning, as the Mediterranean island chose its first government sincejoining the European Union, DPA reported. According to DPA, the result was expected to be the tightest in years, with pollsshowing the ruling Nationalist Party (PN) running neck-and-neck withthe Labour Party. Saturday's election was the culmination of a five-week campaign,in which the first few days of constructive criticism and debatedegenerated into accusations of corruption, mud-throwing and below-the-belt jabs. The outcome of the election could well depend on the performanceof the small Green Party Alternattiva Demokratika, which could snatcha few vital votes from the PN party of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi,perhaps enough to tilt the balance. Election fever has gripped the island in the last few weeks, withtens of thousands attending the two main parties' mass meetings onThursday night. Just over 300,000 are eligible to vote. Around 95 per cent of the electorate normally comes out to casttheir vote in Malta, the highest turnout in Europe.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/534268