AN apparent flaw in the electoral law was highlighted yesterday by a number of candidates for the Euro elections, who argued that the law was party-centric allowing the discrimination of coalition candidates who did not belong to a particular party.
As the law stands, those who get over 16.66 per cent in the elections for the European Parliament are allocated one seat out of a potential six. For the second allocation of seats, the candidates with the highest remaining percentage points will get the remaining seats. However, according to the electoral law, the second distribution of seats can only be allocated to parties, or what constitutes a ‘party’, thereby closing the door on less defined coalitions like the ‘Rally for Europe’.
The legal hitch caused confusion and debate yesterday as parties and candidates awaited a ruling by the Attorney-general or clarification by Elections Officer Lazaros Savvides.
Under this provision, once the big parties get their one or two deputies in Parliament with a 16.66 per cent share of the vote, the remainder of the votes are counted for each party and coalition. But, even if a non-party coalition has more votes than a party-affiliated candidate, the latter will be allocated the seat because only parties may benefit from second round distribution according to the law.
New Horizons leader Nicos Koutsou argued that the law was undemocratic and that all candidates had the right to join the Strasburg Parliament.
“It is unacceptable. It is party-centric and undemocratic. These are third world phenomena,” he added.
According to Savvides, the Attorney-general’s report concluded it was up to the Elections Officer to decide whether a combination of independent names who submit their candidacy constitute a political party and are therefore eligible to participate in the second distribution of seats for the European Parliament.
He explained that the problem arose when questions were raised as to the exact interpretation of the law concerning the definition of a party or a combination of parties.
Savvides said he would meticulously go over some documents and laws before deciding what constitutes a party which could go on to claim seats in the second distribution of seats. It is expected that for these purposes, the Rally for Europe will be deemed a party and be allowed second allocation of seats.
