Ministers Jonathan Attard, Michael Farrugia, and Mayor Dario Vella all engaged in the practice with the FKNK sharing a post praising each one for contributing.

Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo had appeared at a prize giving with the same body just days before the election was called and had previously given gifts to the body.

Cases of politicians ingratiating themselves with NGOs and lobby groups during the elections with donations of money, physical gifts or their time are nothing new – and are not limited to any political party.

In fact, Hyzler highlighted similar practices by MPs Toni Bezzina, Joe Giglio, Chris Said, Ray Abela at different events.

There is currently no transparency in the practice and how the gifts are sourced. It also blurs the extent of the relationship with a particular group, since these meetings are not recorded and were only discovered by the grace of social media posts. 

It creates major concerns over conflicts of interest. And while the general election act does contain stipulations as to what can happen during a general election, there is no system that relegates the practice before it is officially called. 

The Standards Commission has already proposed specific provisions on lobbying, but this is yet to come to fruition. 

Meanwhile, treating, which is the gift-giving of candidates to constituents remains a major issue. Despite reported cases in the months leading up to the election, no action can be taken before the campaign officially starts. 

And even if the offence is committed during the campaign, action is rarely taken with the Standards Commissioner also noting that the law has actually never been tested in court.

Will politicians giving gifts to voters and NGOs during elections ever stop?