Nicosia: Two days following the submission of candidacies and just two weeks ahead of the parliamentary elections, political parties and combinations are ramping up their campaigns. Concurrently, the Interior Ministry is finalizing procedures to ensure the elections proceed smoothly.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Representatives of the Latin and Armenian communities were announced on Thursday, as each had only one candidate, eliminating the need for elections. Chief Returning Officer Elikkos Elia declared Antonella Lydia Mantovani as the Representative of the Religious Group of the Latins and Vartkes Mahtesian as the Representative of the Armenians. An objection against a female candidate in Limassol was dismissed, maintaining the total number of candidates at 753, across 19 political parties, movements, and combinations, with a few running as independents.
Elia confirmed that the printing of ballots is set to commence on Friday, with 1,200 polling stations scheduled to operate on election day.
In a related development, Equality Commissioner Josie Christodoulou highlighted the gender disparity in candidate representation. Women, who constitute 50% of the population, account for only 29.7% of the candidates, underscoring an ongoing deficit in equal political participation.
The challenges facing the Electricity Authority of Cyprus were a focal point during a meeting between Democratic Rally (DISY) President Annita Demetriou, the Authority’s Board of Directors, and union representatives. Demetriou emphasized DISY’s commitment to supporting the EAC in providing affordable electricity.
On healthcare, DISY expressed its intentions to enhance services, introduce innovative medicines, achieve full autonomy for public hospitals by 2027, and develop the National Cancer Institute.
Meanwhile, the National Popular Front (ELAM) responded to a complaint by Accept – LGBTQI Cyprus regarding its billboards, condemning what it termed “unacceptable attempts to silence and impede free expression through bans and interventions in the placement of posters with ELAM’s positions.”
Odysseas Michaelides, head of Alma – Citizens for Cyprus Movement, described the elections as a collective effort. He expressed optimism that May 24th will be marked as the beginning of change and a new era for Cyprus, as noted in a press release following the presentation of the party’s candidates for the Paphos district.