Nicosia: The Chief Returning Officer has released official guidance on the proper method to cast votes in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. The instructions specify that the only acceptable marks on the ballot are "X", "+", or "v". Any alternative mark or letter that might disclose the voter's identity will invalidate the ballot.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Regulations on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives detail that voters selecting a party list can also express their preference for individual candidates on that list by using preference crosses. The permissible number of preference crosses varies by district: up to five in Nicosia, three in Limassol and Famagusta, two in Larnaca and Paphos, and one in Kyrenia.
AKEL Secretary-General Stefanos Stefanou emphasized in an interview that the party's objective in the May 24 parliamentary elections is to strengthen its position beyond the 22% result achieved in 2021. He expressed willingness to discuss pursuing the Presidency of the House, though he clarified that this is not linked to the 2028 presidential elections.
DISY President Annita Demetriou, while addressing the party's final youth campaign rally in Nicosia, highlighted that on the Cyprus issue, DISY maintains a clear stance and calls for a solution free from occupation troops, guarantees, or intervention rights. She criticized opposition parties for not presenting positions on crucial political matters just a week before the election.
DISY also unveiled its policies on the primary sector and food security, advocating for scientific farming, modernizing the primary sector, reducing production and energy costs, and supporting agriculture, livestock, and fisheries.
EDEK has accused the campaign team of DIKO MP candidate Andreas Apostolou of illegally contacting its members by phone, including reaching out to an EDEK candidate in Larnaca. EDEK intends to file a complaint with the Data Protection Commissioner over these allegations.
DIPA President Marios Garoyian expressed confidence in his party's representation in the new House of Representatives, citing the party's five years of significant parliamentary work and its responsible approach to politics.
An intervention by Cyprus Greens President Stavros Papadouris led to a correction in an election information spot by the Elections Service and the Press and Information Office. The original wording implied that the leader of a party or coalition list does not need a preference cross, but the Greens clarified that Papadouris, a candidate in Limassol, does require a preference cross like other candidates.