Preparations for the May 24 Parliamentary elections are continuing at an intensive pace, as the printing of ballot papers and the staffing of polling stations are due to be completed on Wednesday, Chief Returning Officer Elikkos Elia told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA). He also announced that, for the first time in the history of elections, an identity card generated on a mobile device (phone) through the Digital Citizen app will also be accepted.
At the same time, he said that two to three hours after the close of polling, it will be known which political parties will enter Parliament and with how many MPs, while by 2.00 a.m. on Monday the names of the elected MPs will also be announced.
Elia said that on Wednesday, May 13, the Government Printing Office will complete the printing of the ballot papers so that they can be delivered to the Returning Officers for preparation.
He added that the staffing of polling stations with presiding officers and their assistants is also being finalised.
Regarding the ballot papers, Elia expressed the view that ‘there will not be any problem arising from the first-ever use of double-sided ballot papers’, adding that ‘double-sided ballot papers will be used in all electoral districts, with the exception of Larnaca, where they will be single-sided’.
He also explained that voters cannot vote across party lines and that if they do so, their vote will be deemed invalid.
He added that voters may simply select their preferred political party by marking a ‘+’, ‘v’ or ‘x’ in the box beneath the names of the candidates of the political party of their choice.
‘In addition, and optionally, they may place up to five preference crosses in the Nicosia electoral district, three in the Limassol and Famagusta electoral districts, two in Larnaca and Paphos, and one in the Kyrenia electoral district,’ he noted.
According to Elia, if a voter’s choice is an independent candidate, they must place their preference cross in the box to the right of the candidate’s name.
The Chief Returning Officer told CNA that voting begins at 7.00 a.m. and pauses for one hour at midday before resuming at 1.00 p.m. until 6.00 p.m.
He added that voters may cast their vote by presenting either their national identity card or their voter registration booklet.
Digital Citizen identity cards accepted for the first time
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He noted, however, that for the first time in the history of elections, an identity card generated on a mobile device (phone) through the Digital Citizen platform will also be accepted.
‘For this purpose, a verification mechanism has been developed, which will operate at the polling station,’ he added.
He further stated that ‘our enclaved compatriots may additionally vote by presenting a passport, driver’s licence, or another official Republic document bearing their photograph’.
Elia also said that the ‘Where Do I Vote’ application will be available on Monday or Tuesday, 10-11 May, and voters will be able to immediately find out their polling station by entering their identity card number and date of birth.
Regarding the announcement of results, Elia estimated that two to three hours after the close of polling, it will be known which political parties will enter Parliament and with how many MPs.
He added that around 1.00-2.00 a.m. on Monday, May 25, the names of the elected MPs will also be known.
Elia reminded that on polling day or on the eve of the elections, no person may set up or maintain campaign offices, or display posters and banners outside polling stations if they are directly or indirectly related to the elections.