PRESIDENT Demetris Christofias urged people to exercise their right to vote, as the Republic of Cyprus today holds, its10th parliamentary elections since its foundation in 1960.
In his message ahead of the elections, the president said they are the most important moment for a democracy: “With their vote, citizens express their view freely and make their choice.”
The universal right to vote is a guarantee for the smooth operation of democracy and its institutions, one of which is parliament, Christofias said.
“I urge all of you to exercise your sacred right to vote,” the president said. “Do not let others decide for you.”
He added that the elections are the most direct and effective way to participate in public affairs and voiced his conviction that today “our people will give yet another convincing example of the high political culture they possess.
“They will give yet another convincing example of the high level of democracy we have attained as a society in the half a century of the existence of the Republic of Cyprus.”
Around 530,000 people are eligible to vote in 1,203 polling stations across Cyprus and abroad.
The number of first-time voters is 32,000.
Six polling stations will operate in the UK – four in London and two in Manchester.
The majority of voters are in Nicosia, 191,517, followed by Limassol, 109,294, Famagusta 107,913, Larnaca 53,598, Paphos 40,534 and Kyrenia 28,280.
An additional 17 polling stations will operate for the Representatives of the island’s three religious groups, Maronites, Armenians and Latins, to be elected simultaneously with Cyprus’ parliamentary elections.
Polling stations open at 7am and close at 6.30 pm with a one-hour break between 12 pm and 1 pm.
Use of mobile phones by anyone is banned in polling stations with the exception of the supervisor contacting elections officers.
The supervisor is under strict instructions to remove anyone using a mobile in a polling station, while arrest is not ruled out.
Demetris Demetriou, who heads the election service, said final results were expected by 11 pm today.
Demetriou said people were still scrambling yesterday to get necessary election booklets from their local district administrations.
“There were quite a lot of people in Nicosia,” Demetriou said.
As regards removal of political posters and billboards from public areas, Demetriou said things were smoother than in previous elections.
“There was satisfactory compliance in all areas,” he said.
However, there were some reports of violations in Limassol.
The election service said district administration crews would remove the remaining signs.
Today’s elections will be observed by officials from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Demetriou said OSCE’s observers have authorization to visit any polling station they wish.
“It is up to them where they go. Two are based in Limassol to cover Limassol and Paphos … the other eight are in Nicosia,” Demetriou said.
Over 2,000 police officers will be on duty today to ensure the elections run smoothly.
On top of that, police spokesman Michalis Katsounotos said reserves and anti-riot squads will be standing by just in case.
“However, we believe that Cypriot citizens will show maturity, logic will prevail, and nothing will happen,” Katsounotos said yesterday.
