Tensions in the Labour Party leadership race are rising after Robert Abela alleged vote tampering ahead of next weekend’s election.

The Times of Malta has reported that Abela filed a formal complaint following an incident on New Year’s Eve at the Labour Party headquarters in Ħamrun.

That day at around 12:50 pm, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne’s canvassers were discovered allegedly inputting the details of about 200 party members who had fallen behind on their fees, ensuring their eligibility to vote in the upcoming election.

The canvassers were allegedly found in the locked office where the list of paid-up party members.

Abela has filed a formal complaint to launch an investigation into the matter.

“The logical question that arises is what other similar abuse has taken place in these sensitive days.”

“The thousands of genuine party members do not deserve to have their choice of party leader and prime minister go through an electoral process that has been vitiated and manipulated in order to give a perverse result,” the complaint. allegedly reads.

However, the Labour Party’s CEO Randolph Debattista has since taken to social media to pour cold water on the claims.

“The truth is that after many years, we invested thousands into a new system for party membership. We didn’t stay making a fuss, but the system has made a difference,” he said.

Debattista said that the administration, candidates, and their representatives had all been given a hands-on explanation of the new system, which he insisted had the proper checks and balances in place.

“All this does is put a bad light on the workers at the Labour Party Headquarters, who will have to work with whoever is elected,” he said.