Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-04-18

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

[02] MOLLER GIROD CMP

[03] US - TECHNICAL COMMITTEES

[01] CYPRUS PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Speaking after a second meeting on the course of preparations for the forthcoming elections, Christou said a total of 1,250 election centres will operate, an additional 60 centres than the previous elections due to the increased population.

A total of 270 Turkish Cypriots have been registered to vote at an estimated 30 election centres. The first official results for political parties will be known around 2100 local time.

Christou said samples of the voting papers are already being printed adding that this time we might have the biggest voting paper ever in Parliamentary elections if more political combinations or isolated candidacies come forward.

The Interior Minister also said that almost all voting booklets are ready and their owners will be asked to collect them in the beginning of next week.

Christou said that those who have lost their voting booklets or have been destroyed can apply until 1300 on 20 May to have them replaced while those who need additional papers attached to their booklets can apply even on the day of the elections.

Additionally, leaflets with instructions in the Turkish language will be issued to help Turkish Cypriots who do not speak Greek to be able to vote as they choose. However, he said there will not be any voting papers in Turkish but merely a sample translated into Turkish at the centres were the Turkish Cypriots will vote to enable them vote the party and candidates they wish.

Christou said the Press and Information Office website will have all the information in Greek and English as well as instructions to voters where they vote and how they can vote. He reminded that voting is compulsory for citizens over the age of 18 and appealed to Cypriots to exercise their right to vote.

The Minister said results for the political parties are expected to become known around 2100 local time while the result of individual candidates will be known after midnight.

According to the 1960 Constitution, the Greek Cypriot community, comprising Greek Cypriots, Latins, Armenians and Maronites, elects its own representatives to the House and the Turkish Cypriot community its own deputies.

However, the Turkish Cypriots withdrew unilaterally from parliament in 1964 as part of their rebellion against the government. It is the first time during these elections that Turkish Cypriots who live in the government controlled areas of the Republic will be able to vote.

Since the division of the island, as a result of the 1974 Turkish invasion and continuing occupation, parliamentary, presidential and local elections are held in the southern government controlled areas of the Republic.

The internationally recognised government of Cyprus is prevented from exercising its jurisdiction in the northern part of the country by the Turkish occupation troops and the Turkish Cypriot puppet regime set up in the occupied part of Cyprus.

[02] MOLLER GIROD CMP

A statement issued by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), said Moller was speaking after a meeting at the CMP offices in Nicosia with Ertan Ersan, Chairman of the Association of Martyrs Families and War Veterans in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus.

Noting the Chief of Mission was pleased to meet the Association for the first time, the statement said Mr. Moller considers that solving the issue of missing persons would contribute significantly toward reconciling the two Cypriot communities.

[03] US - TECHNICAL COMMITTEES

Speaking after a meeting in Nicosia with Democratic Rally (DISY) President Nicos Anastasiades, Schlicher said the US call on the parties to proceed with discussions on a technical committee level, and expressed certainty that everybody on the island desires that that political engagement takes place as soon as possible so we can start a negotiating process.

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