History of Xaghra Local Council (pdf - click here)

Local Councils Act (pdf - Click Here)


Ix-Xaghra, like the other villages of Gozo, has had three administrations partly responsible for the village in modern times.

The first was the Municipality of the District of Caccia created on 3 July 1798 by the Commission of Government during the French occupation of Malta and Gozo. President of the municipality, that included also the villages of Zebbug, Nadur, Qala, and Ghajnsielem, was the parish priest Vincenzo Cauchi; and the members Fortune Grech. priest; Bartholemi Busuttil; Jean-Marie Sapiano; Francois Attard; and Benigne Cutajar, secretary. It functioned until the rising of the Gozitans against the French on 2 September 1798.

The second administration was the Gozo Civic Council, a statutory local government body having a distinct legal personality, established on 14 April 1961. Elections for the first district committees took place on 4 June 1961 and ix-Xaghra, like all other villages, was to return six candidates. Eight contested the election. Dun Mikelang Apap obtained the highest number of votes, followed, in descending order, by Carmelo Refalo, Dun Manwel Galea, Dun Roman Bajada, Joseph Attard, Manwel Bajada, Carmelo Sultana, and Manwel Sultana. The first six were elected and, on 19 June, they in turn elected Carmelo Refalo to represent Xaghra on the Gozo Civic Council that held its first meeting on 4 July 1961. The Council and the district Committees functioned until 4 December 1973, when the then Prime Minister Dom Mintoff suppressed the institution through an Act of Parliament.

The Local Councils were established through an Act of Parliament of 14 June 1993. The first election for ix-Xaghra Local Council was held on 19 February 1994.Out of an estimated population of 3458, there were 2545 registered voters of which 33 were foreigners. The district was to return five counsellers. Twelve candidates contested tie election, one for Moviment Civiku Xaghra (MCX), five for the Nationalist Party, and six independent. 2057 persons or 80.82% voted, but only 1935 or 76.03% cast Valid votes and the quota was 323. Three Nationalist candidates (48.95%) and two independents (46.25%) were elected. MCX got 93 votes (4.80%). SaviourBonello, an independent, polled the highest number of votes (331). The first sitting was held on 7 March 1994. During the second sitting on 10 March, Mario Xerri was elected as the first mayor of ix-Xaghra. On 18 April 1996, he resigned, and on 26 April 1996, Joseph Grima was elected mayor instead. Members were Mr Anthony Attard and Mrs M’ Stella Buttigieg who resigned in August 1996 and Mr Raymond Mifsud was elected during a bye-election

The second election was held on 14 March 1998. Out of an estimated population of 3969, there were 2794 registered voters of which 63 were foreigners. Six candidates contested the election. 1894 persons or 67.73% voted, but only 1771 or 63.34% cast valid votes and the quota was 296. Three Nationalist candidates (62.12%) and two independents (37.88%) were elected. The first sitting of the Council was held on 1 April 1998 and the counsellors elected Anthony Attard as the third mayor. Members were Mr Saviour Bonello, Mr Joseph Micallef, Dr Aaron Attard Hili who resigned in April 2000 and Mrs M’Assunta Attard was elected during bye-election, and Mr Raymond Mifsud.

The Third election was held on 10th March 2001. Out of an estimated population of 4200 there were 2981 registered voters . Thirteen candidates contested the election. 2394 persons or 80% voted, but only 2325 or 78% cast valid votes and the quota was 388. Three Nationalist candidates and two Labour candidates were elected. The first sitting of the Council was held on 2nd April 2001. During the second sitting of 9th April 2001 the counselors elected Anthony Attard as the fourth mayor. Vice Mayor was M’Assunta Attard and counselors were Joe Cordina, Carmelino Refalo and Saviour Bonello.

The Fourth election was held on 12th June 2004. Out of an estimated population of 4400 registered voters there were 3392 votes. 2939 or 86.7% voted but only 2829 or 83% cast valid votes and the quota was 472. Twelve Candidates contested the election. Three Nationalist candidates and two Labour candidates were elected. The first sitting was held on 8th July 2004. During this sitting the counselors elected Mr Joseph Spiteri as Mayor. The second sitting was held on the 15th July 2004. The counselors elected Mr Carmelino Refalo as Vice Mayor counselors.

The Offices of Ix-Xaghra Local Council are situated in Triq Tmienja ta' Settembru (Tel 21563737 • Fax 21556855). The Police Station is in the same building (Tel 21556426).