Day: February 5, 2023

Voter turnout for the presidential elections in Cyprus was at 33.7% until noon, when the polls temporarily closed for one hour.

“The polls in all 1,129 polling stations operating in the Republic of Cyprus, Greece and Bulgaria were temporarily closed at 12 noon. Voting will resume at 1:00 p.m.”, said Chief Returning Officer, Dr. Costas Constantinou, in his latest update.

The CRO informed that the participation rate until noon is up by 3.5% compared to the participation at the same time in 2018.

In particular, in Nicosia the participation is at 37%, in Limassol at 30.4%, in Famagusta at 34%, in Larnaca at 33%, in Pafos at 34.2% and abroad at 18.9%.

“The turnout of voters continued smoothly, without any problems”, CRO said, adding that minor issues were handled immediately by the presiding officers at the polling stations.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

We must convince the youth to participate in the elections in order to get the best possible result especially for them, said today the President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, noting at the same time that democracy is incomplete if civil society and especially the youth are not participating on an equal footing.

Speaking after exercising her right to vote in the first round of the presidential elections, in Larnaca, Demetriou said that “we call on the citizens to go to the polls en masse, to collectively exercise this right they have today through the presidential elections. It is very important that we have a collective result that enables, in this way, the best democratic expression to ensure the future that Cyprus deserves.”

She also wished “good luck to everyone and a good vote.”

Replying to a journalist’s observation that young people have always abstained from electoral processes and called upon to send her message, Demetriou said that “I don’t think that young people are abstaining, it’s just more difficult to convince them and this is where our responsibility and our jurisdiction lies. That is, to convince especially the young generation that they really should participate in order to have the best possible result especially for them.”

The House President added that “the future of this place is for the young people first and foremost.” “They will be the architects of tomorrow, we will leave a legacy to them that they will have to manage, so we need the young people in this equation so that we can have exactly the future that our country and every citizen deserves. We always have a special concern for the young generation,” she said.

“We hope and we make every effort to have the best possible result and to represent it in the best way, but what we are saying is that democracy is always incomplete if civil society in general and young people in particular do not participate equally,” Demetriou noted.

Asked where she will watch the election process from, Annita Demetriou said “I will watch from my home with particular interest. It’s been a long and difficult campaign, but today we’ll have the results, and it’ll continue next week, so good luck,” she concluded.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Chief Returning Officer, Costas Constantinou announced that voting for the election of the President of the Republic resumed at 13:00 , after a one-hour break.

Constantinou once again called on all voters to come to the polls to exercise their right.

“In this way, they will responsibly express their choice for the person who will serve for the next five years in the highest position of our State, that of President of the Republic,” he said.

Replying to questions the Chief Returning Officer said he was satisfied with the smooth running of the process, adding that improved weather conditions are conducive to voters going to the polls. Any minor problems, he said, are resolved by the staff of the polling stations.

At the same time, he said that he has had no complains for serious violations of the election legislation and that any minor issues are being handled by the heads of the polling stations.

Replying to another question he said that the Press and Information Office monitors the posts on social media and so far there has been no indication of a breach of the law by the candidates. He added that there’s also close cooperation with representatives of candidates and any problems are resolved immediately.

Constantinou reiterated that no mobile phones are allowed in the polling stations and their use is a penal offence.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Turnout rate at the polls for Cyprus Presidential Elections until 15.00 (local time) reached 55.6% or 312,008 voters, the Chief Returning Officer Costas Constantinou has announced.

The turnout is up by 4.7 percentage points compared to the same time during the 2018 Presidential Elections when turnout was at 50.9% and compared to the parliamentary elections of 2021 when the turnout was at 45.1%.

Voter turnout per electoral district was at the same time 58.4% for Nicosia, 52.9% for Limassol, 55.4% for Famagusta, 54.9% for Larnaca, 55.9% for Pafos and 43.7 % for polling stations abroad.

Constantinou said that the voting process is running smoothly.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Independent candidates cast their votes during Sunday’s first round of the presidential elections, noting today is the day of democracy.

Independent candidate Andreas Efstratiou exercised his electoral right on Sunday, noting that today is the day of democracy where everyone has the right to vote and be voted for.

Speaking to reporters at the Apostle Pavlos Gymnasium in Pafos, Efstratiou stated that as an independent political figure, he is present in these elections for the right of the people.

He praised the Chief Returning Officer and the Ministry of the Interior for their flawless work during the elections.

Efstathiou further said that all his pre-electoral posters were removed, except for some of the posters of his rival candidates, and that justice will be served on this matter.

He also praised those who went to the polling centers to vote despite the rainy conditions.

Presidential candidate Celestina de Petro voted Sunday morning at the Archbishop Makarios III High School in Strovolos.

She told reporters that she will follow developments about the election process from home.

Candidate Charalambos Aristotelous cast his vote in Tseri, Nicosia during Sunday’s presidential elections.

Speaking to reporters, he urged the people of Cyprus to go to the polls and vote.

Presidential hopeful Alexios Savvides expressed his optimism that the Cypriot people have decided to “turn the page” and spoke of a historic election process after having exercised his right to vote.

On her part, in statements after she voted, Yulia Khovrina-Komninos, head of the United Cyprus Republican Party, said that Cyprus needs changes, one of which has to do with the Presidency of the Republic. Quoting the phrase “the voice of the people, the voice of God”, she wished for a good vote for the prosperity of Cyprus.

Presidential candidate Andronikos Zervides expressed his joy for having the “privilege” of voting but also of voting in the country he loves. “What a privilege for me, and to vote in the country I love,” he said, noting that not only it was a privilege to vote, but that one ought to do it.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Turnout rate at the polls for Cyprus Presidential Elections until 17.00 (local time) reached 67.6% or 379,554 voters, the Chief Returning Officer Costas Constantinou has announced.

The turnout is up by 1.4 percentage points compared to the same time during the 2018 Presidential Elections when turnout was at 66.2%. At the parliamentary elections of 2021 the turnout until 17.00 was 56.7%.

In the current elections, voter turnout per electoral district was at the same time 69.7% for Nicosia, 64.3% for Limassol, 68.2% for Famagusta, 66.3% for Larnaca, 71.3% for Pafos and 66.6% for polling stations abroad.

Constantinou said that the voting process continues to run smoothly and called on the voters to go to the polling stations on time and definitely before 18.00. He added that in order for an extension to be granted, there must be a large turnout of voters outside a polling station and in such a case an extension will be given only to that specific center, while the rest will remain closed. He also said that in case there are voters outside the polling station at 18.00, they will be allowed to enter in order to vote, while the doors will be closed.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The importance of choosing a President who will tackle the challenges facing Cyprus, expressed political party leaders on Sunday, after casting their vote for the presidential elections. They also called on people to exercise their right to vote, but also for unity.

Secretary General of left-wing AKEL, Stefanos Stefanou, expressed the conviction that the election results will put Cyprus on the path to progress, society on the road to prosperity for all, and that it will open a perspective for the new generation of the country.

We choose the person who can give hope and perspective, who can inspire, unite citizens from various political spaces said the President of Democratic Party (DIKO), Nicholas Papadopoulos, calling on everyone to exercise their “sacred right” to vote. He added that, after an intense election campaign, this was the time for unity.

These presidential elections are directly related to the future of our country and citizens, who, with their presence at the polls, can shape their future, said President of social democratic EDEK, Marinos Sizopoulos, adding that, it was important “in these elections, with our choice to shape the future.”

Leader of DEPA, Marios Garoyian, called on citizens to participate in the electoral process noting that their strength was “the strength of their vote”. He said that the Cypriot people were called upon to determine the course for the next five years by electing the new President of the Republic.

Leader of the Greens, Charalambos Theopemptou, called on the members of the public to exercise their voting right, noting that, this was “an important day for democracy”. He expressed hope that the President who will be elected will pay attention to the problems the country faces in many sectors.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus Police Spokesperson Christos Andreou said that there were no serious incidents during today’s first round of presidential elections.

In statements to Cyprus News Agency, Andreou said that there were just 2 cases and the Police accused 2 persons. One incident took place in Paphos district and a 22 year old was accused for taking a picture of the ballot with his cellphone. A 55 year old in Larnaka district, Andreou said, used an ID that belongs to her 25 year old daughter.

Andreou said that the Police are still on duty as the counting of ballots still continues and will carry on their job with the transport of the ballot boxes to the drop off spots.

Cyprus elects a new President every five years.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The final turnout in the first round of the 2023 presidential elections was 72%, based on the latest figures available, as Chief Returning officer announced after the polls closed at 18.00 (local time).

Based on the latest available data, the final turnout at the polls stood at 72% compared to 71.9% in the presidential elections of 2018 and 65.7% in the parliamentary elections of 2021. As he said, 402,022 people voted in the elections.

The turnout per electoral district was 72.9% for Nicosia, 68.9% for Limassol, 72.8% for Famagusta, 72.4% for Larnaca, 75.5% for Pafos and 73.8% for polling stations abroad.

The final results are expected to be announced around 20.00-20.30 (local time).

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Independent candidate and former Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides is the winner of the first round of the presidential elections that took place on Sunday in Cyprus receiving 32.04% of votes (127,305 votes). Christodoulides is backed mainly by center parties DIKO, EDEK and DIPA.

Christodoulides will face next Sunday independent candidate, former Greek Cypriot negotiator for the Cyprus talks and diplomat Andreas Mavroyiannis at next Sunday’s second round of the elections. Mavroyiannis, backed mainly by left wing AKEL party, received 29.60% (117,627) of votes.

Democratic Rally President and candidate Averof Neofytou held third place with 26.11% (103,755). Far right wing ELAM President Christos Christou received 6.04% (24,002) followed by lawyer Achilleas Demetriades 2.04% (8,124), leader of New Wave Movement Constantinos Christofides with 1.59% (6,321), lawyer George Colocassides 1.33% (5,284), Alexios Savvides 0.60% (2,393), Charalambos Aristotelous 0.22% (866), Celestina De Petro 0.14% (574), Andronikos Zervides 0.09% (341), Ioulia Hovrina Komninos 0.08% (331), Andreas Efstratiou 0.08% (299) and Loukas Stavrou 0.04% (165).

Of the 561,273 registered voters, a total of 404,403 or 72.05% cast their vote. Abstention reached 27.95% (156,870). Valid ballots were 397,387 or 98.27%, invalid ballots were 5,346 or 1.32% and blank were 1,670 or 0.41%.

Source: Cyprus News Agency