A panel of six judges and the public will select Malta's entry in the next Eurovision Song Contest. Husniyya Maharramova from Azerbaijan is the first jury member confirmed. So far the national broadcaster, PBS did not make it clear if the same panel of jury will vote for both shows of the Malta Eurovision Festival 2011.

Husniyya Maharramova is related to the Eurovision Song Contest and work as a news anchor at Azerbaijani TV, Ictimal. Three years ago Maharramova hosted the first ever Azerbaijani selection which was won by Elnur & Samir with their song Day After Day. She also announced the Azerbaijani votes in 2009 when the contest was held in Moscow. According to News.Az she will be in Malta next Thursday therefore she will miss her country’s national final.

The first show of the Malta Eurovision Festival 2011 will take place next Friday where 24 acts will compete for 16 final spots. The final will commence on Saturday as the 16 selected songs will compete for the ticket to Düsseldorf. In both shows the public will have the weight of three judges while six professional judges will pass on their votes. This year the six jury member will stand up in the hall and read their respective votes.

Meanwhile rehearsals for the Maltese selection kicked-off today. In the upcoming days esctoday.com will provide special reports, including footage from the venue. This afternoon Marcin Mrozinski who will sing with last year’s Maltese Eurovision hopeful Thea Garrett landed in Malta. Next Friday the duo will perform their brand new song In Our Love. Malta will participate in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest with the aim in returning to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.