THE PRESS and Information Office (PIO) has released instructions in English and Greek on how to go about voting for the June 13 Euro elections.
For the many non-Greek speakers who wish to learn more about the election procedure, the PIO website can be accessed at www.moi.gov.cy/pio, where instructions can be found in both languages.
According to the website, in order for electors to exercise their right to vote, they must be registered on the electoral list and have their identity card or election booklet with them.
Employees at the polling station will give each elector a ballot paper with the names of all candidates nominated for election as Members of the European Parliament.
The names of the candidates of each Combination are written in the alphabetical order of their surname on a different and numbered column in the ballot paper. The names of all independent candidates are written on a different column.
Valid ballot papers should bear on the outside the official seal of the Republic.
On receiving the ballot paper, electors should proceed to the voting booths in each polling station.
There they can open the ballot paper in secret and, using a blue or black ball-point pen, mark a suitable sign “X”, “+” or “V” in the big square under the column of the combination of their choice, or if they prefer the sign “X” “+” or “V” in the small square next to the name of the independent candidate of their choice, as the case may be.
In case electors choose to vote for a Combination, they can at the same time express their preference for specific candidates of the Combination of their choice, by putting a cross of preference in the small squares next to the name of the candidate.
Electors should note that the cross of preference is not obligatory. However, in case they want to show their preference for specific candidates of the Combination they may use no more than two crosses of preference, otherwise, no cross of preference will be taken into consideration in the counting of votes.
Electors voting for a Combination do not have the right to vote for a second Combination or independent candidate. If electors vote for more than one Combination, their ballot paper will be invalid and will not be taken into consideration in the counting of votes.
Furthermore, if electors use any other sign or number, making it possible for someone to identify them, then the ballot paper will be invalid and will not be taken into consideration for the counting of votes.
If by a mistake or oversight electors destroy their ballot paper they should return it to the President of the polling station who will give them another ballot paper.
Electors should fold their ballot paper, go to the ballot box and personally put the ballot paper in the box in the presence of the polling station officers.
Electors can vote only once and voting is compulsory.
