Nicosia: The Plenary of the Cyprus Parliament has approved a bill amending the Constitution, allowing citizens aged seventeen to register and vote, reducing the previous voting age from eighteen.
According to Cyprus News Agency, this bill is part of a broader governmental initiative to lower the minimum voting age and modernize electoral legislation. The amendments include automatic voter registration for eligible citizens, aiming to streamline the electoral process.
Data presented to the Home Affairs Committee revealed that, if implemented immediately, 92,129 Cypriot citizens aged seventeen and over would qualify for automatic registration on the electoral roll. This constitutional change is seen as a means to enhance citizen participation in elections, thereby improving the democratic process.
During discussions, it was suggested that the amendment take effect on July 1, 2027. However, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou, through a written statement, emphasized the government’s commitment to implementing the change by the 2026 parliamentary elections. Ultimately, it is set to be in effect for the 2028 presidential elections. Ioannou assured that the government will persist in efforts to simplify and modernize the electoral system, with the aim of strengthening democracy and promoting citizen engagement.