Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-05-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS - POLLS OPEN

[02] PRESIDENT - ELECTIONS

[03] PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

[04] LILLIKAS - TURKEY EU

[01] PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS - POLLS OPEN

A total of ten political parties or movements, with 487 candidates are contesting these elections. Final results on the percentage secured by the parties are expected to be announced around 2030 local time.

Seats will be allocated under the system of proportional representation.

Á total of 500,606 people will vote in Sunday`s elections, namely 182,810 in Nicosia Electoral District, 182,810 in Limassol, 102,715 in Famagusta, 101,095 in Larnaca, 49,456 in Paphos and 37,889 in Kyrenia. Nicosia elects 21 MPs, Limassol 12, Famagusta 11, Larnaca 5, Paphos 4 and Kyrenia 3.

A total of 1,216 polling stations will be set up throughout the government controlled areas of the Republic, 469 for Nicosia district, 272 for Limassol, 53 for Famagusta, 193 for Larnaca and 128 for Paphos.

Á further two separate stations will be set up for the enclaved persons (Greek Cypriots living in the Turkish occupied areas) and 16 for the election of the representatives of Latins, Armenians and Maronites religious groups. A total of 373 enclaved persons are entitled to vote, 112 in Kyrenia district and 261 in Famagusta.

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. The Turkish Cypriot MPs withdrew unilaterally from Parliament in 1964 following intercommunal strife.

Chief Returning Officer Lazaros Savvides has said that Sunday`s elections are of ``particular significance``, noting that today Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will vote together. A total of 270 Turkish Cypriots, living in the government controlled part of Cyprus, have registered to vote.

Polls will will close at 1700 with a one-hour break at noon. Votes will be counted at the regional electoral centres, something which is expected to speed up the process.

[02] PRESIDENT - ELECTIONS

Speaking at Deftera Elementary School, where he voted, Papadopoulos said ``the elections is the highest expression of democracy and I call upon all citizens to exercise their electoral rights.``

``Participation in elections is the bloodline of the political process,`` he added.

``I have full confidence in the judgment of the people and I am certain that in this case the people of Cyprus will show their political maturity,`` the President said.

Asked by Turkish Cypriot journalists covering the elections if after the elections there might be important changes in the position of the Greek Cypriot side, he replied ``I think the policy of the Greek Cypriot side, as you call it, is well known and it is correct.``

``I do not see any reason for any dramatic change,`` he noted.

Invited to explain why he called on the people to vote, he said he did not think there would be any absention, and noted his firm belief in participation in electoral processes as ``the bloodline of the political process``.

Responding to a question on how decisive these elections are for the future of the country, President Papadopoulos said that all elections are decisive.

``What is more important is the smooth running of the electoral process and the free expression of the will of the people,`` he concluded.

[03] PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Speaking at a press conference, Chief Returning Officer Lazaros Savvides said that the final results of the elections are expected to be announced by 2030 local time, regarding the voting percentages of every political combination or independent candidates, as well as the number of seats per electoral district allocated in the first distribution of seats.

The counting of votes from the elections, carried out in the proportional representation system, has three distribution rounds.

According to Savvides, a total of 500,606 people will vote in Sunday`s elections, namely 182,810 for Nicosia Electoral District, 182,810 for Limassol, 102,715 for Famagusta, 101,095 for Larnaca, 49,456 for Paphos and 37,889 for Kyrenia. Nicosia elects 21 MPs, Limassol 12, Famagusta 11, Larnaca 5, Paphos 4 and Kyrenia 3.

A total of 1,216 polling stations will be set up throughout the government controlled areas, 469 for Nicosia district, 272 for Limassol, 53 for Famagusta, 193 for Larnaca and 128 for Paphos.

[04] LILLIKAS - TURKEY EU

Turkey has yet to implement the Ankara Protocol amending its Customs Union with the EU, to cover the EU ten new member states, including the Republic of Cyprus. The EU Commission is expected to present its report on Turkey`s EU bid in October.

Replying to a question about Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos` interview in Austrian newspaper ``Der Standard``, Lillikas for the Cypriot government the EU counter-declaration to Turkey`s unilateral statement on non-recognition of the Republic of Cyprus is still valid.

``We insist on the implementation of these EU commitments. The Cypriot government is monitoring the developments,`` the Spokesman said, adding that ``we are in touch with other EU partners and we have both the means and the ways to defend our national interests in the framework of the EU.``

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