The upcoming elections in Cyprus will witness an extraordinary 7,280 candidates contesting for 3,227 public offices, including roles such as MEPs, mayors, councilors, and community leaders. With a record number of candidates vying for these positions, the electoral race is gearing up to be fiercely competitive, promising a significant impact on the political landscape of the island.
What is the total number of candidates and public offices for the upcoming elections in Cyprus?
The upcoming elections in Cyprus feature a total of 7,280 candidates competing for 3,227 public offices. Voters will decide on MEPs, district self-governance heads, mayors, deputy mayors, municipal councilors, school board members, community leaders, and community council members.
The Electoral Race Heats Up
As the island of Cyprus prepares for its upcoming electoral showdown in June, a staggering total of 7,280 candidates have thrown their hats into the ring, all vying for a chance to serve in 3,227 public offices. Elikkos Elia, the chief returning officer, confirmed these figures during a press briefing. The announcement comes after the deadline for candidacy submissions had passed, marking the start of what promises to be a fiercely competitive campaign season.
Registered voters amount to 706,534 individuals, a significant number by Cyprus’s standards. These voters will decide on a wide array of positions, including Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), heads of district self-governance boards, mayors, deputy mayors, municipal councilors, school board members, community leaders, and community council members.
The Electorate and Ballot Details
The electoral roll is predominantly composed of Cypriot citizens, totaling 568,608, with a notable inclusion of 837 Turkish Cypriots holding IDs from the Republic of Cyprus and residing in the south. Special rolls exist for non-Cypriot Europeans and Turkish Cypriots voting specifically for MEPs, with the latter group counting 103,269 registered voters.
Elia elaborated on the distribution of public offices: Six MEPs; five district board heads; 17 mayors in the Greek Cypriot south; nine mayors representing the ‘occupied’ municipalities; 93 deputy mayors; 316 municipal councilors in the south; 127 in ‘occupied’ municipalities; 212 school board members; 285 community leaders in the Greek Cypriot south, and an additional 138 from ‘occupied’ communities; plus 1,464 and 552 members for community councils in the respective regions.
Ballot Printing and Color Coding
The intricate process of printing ballots saw completion for the European Parliament elections while the production for district board heads commenced subsequently. Color-coding is a unique feature introduced for ease of distinction among the various ballots: MEPs (blue), district board heads (purple), mayors (yellow), deputy mayors (brown), municipal councilors (white), school board members (green), community leaders (orange), and community council members (gray). All these ballots will be cast into a singular ballot box during voting.
Upcoming Digital Innovations
Also noteworthy are the technological advancements in the electoral process. On May 1, authorities are set to launch the ‘What I Vote For’ app on the official elections website, accessible in Greek, Turkish, and English. This initiative is designed to educate voters on the different candidates and their platforms.
Following the voter allocation to polling stations on May 10, the ‘Where I Vote’ service will activate. It will assist voters in locating their designated polling stations and will be available through various means, including online access, telephone, and SMS. These services underscore Cyprus’s commitment to a smooth and informed voting experience.
The local and European Parliament elections, scheduled for June 9, are expected to be a landmark event with an unprecedented level of participation from candidates across the island, setting the stage for a dynamic and potentially transformative political landscape.
How many candidates are competing in the upcoming elections in Cyprus?
A total of 7,280 candidates are competing for 3,227 public offices in the upcoming elections in Cyprus.
What positions are being contested in the upcoming elections in Cyprus?
The positions being contested include MEPs, district self-governance heads, mayors, deputy mayors, municipal councilors, school board members, community leaders, and community council members.
What is the voter turnout expected for the upcoming elections in Cyprus?
There are 706,534 registered voters in Cyprus for the upcoming elections. This includes Cypriot citizens, Turkish Cypriots, and non-Cypriot Europeans.
Are there any digital innovations being introduced for the upcoming elections in Cyprus?
Yes, there are digital innovations being introduced for the upcoming elections in Cyprus. An app called ‘What I Vote For’ will be launched on May 1 to educate voters on candidates and their platforms. Additionally, the ‘Where I Vote’ service will help voters locate their designated polling stations.
