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] PRESIDENT PAPADOPOULOS ELECTIONS UNITY

[02] PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS TURNOUT HIGH

[03] PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

[04] PRESIDENT ELECTIONS

[01] PRESIDENT PAPADOPOULOS ELECTIONS UNITY

In a written statement after voting ended in todays elections for the 56 seats at the House of Representatives, President Papadopoulos told reporters at the Presidential Palace that as of tomorrow all jointly must handle together the challenges that may arise before us and fight to achieve the great aim, which is a functional and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.

In his statement to the press, President Papadopoulos said the elections were carried out in an impeccable manner, worthy of our democratic tradition and the increased demands of the citizens of a modern European state.

I want to note and praise the political maturity and the high level of democratic political spirit demonstrated by the whole of the electorate. Contrary to some intense pre-electoral verbal confrontations, the electorate has voted in a civilized, calm manner, he underlined.

President Papadopoulos said that according to police reports there has been no incident involving conflict or confrontation among the voters. I praise this high level of political ethos and for this I congratulate our democratic people. This is the first and foremost aspect I wish to highlight. And for that I wish to commend first and foremost the voters as well as the political party leaderships.

President Papadopoulos said the Chief Returning Officer Mr Lazaros Savvides, the District Returning Officers, the Police, the Civil Service personnel, the political party representatives and everyone who has contributed in the organizing and conducting of todays elections, are all worthy of a public praise and of our congratulations.

``In my statement this morning I had called on the citizens to vote and thus exercise their electoral right, pointing out that participating in elections is the blood vessel of a democratic life. I am happy to see that the citizens have showed that they share this democratic principle, he said.

Thus, it is with great satisfaction that I note that the percentage of participation in the elections, despite a small decrease, remains very high, of the highest in recent years, in Europe, he added.

With their participation the citizens have proved once again that democracy is deeply rooted in our country and that they remain determined to have a say and role in crucial matters which concern the future of our country as well as their own personal course in the years to come, he added.

President Papadopoulos said the election results constitute a useful basis in order to extract the correct messages.

I am confident that all political powers in the country, each one from their own perspective, will assess correctly these messages, will respect with deeds the expression of the peoples will and will direct their actions according to the choices of our people, he added.

He pledged that the government, reinforced by the messages sent out by these elections, will carry on its work in order to complete the implementation of the government program. Our final goal and pursuit is for every citizen to enjoy the quality of life they are entitled to, in an environment of equality, security and growth for all.

The elections are over. I call on all to leave behind any tensions and confrontations of the pre-election period, said President Papadopoulos.

In democracy there are no winners and losers. Democracy is the sole winner as well as our people who have proved their political maturity and culture, he said.

Starting tomorrow, he added, we must all jointly deal with possible great challenges that may arise.

We must give the battle to succeed in our great goal. A solution that will truly be functional and viable. A united and free country. In this effort no one can be spared or be absent. United we shall proceed. And united we shall succeed, President Papadopoulos concluded.

[02] PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS TURNOUT HIGH

Chief Returning Officer Lazaros Savvides announced here Sunday that the overall turnout had marked a 3.84% decrease.

For Nicosia district the turnout was 86.36% compared to 90.88% in 2001, in Limassol 89% compared to 92.88% in 2001, in Famagusta 91.79% compared to 92.54% in 2001, in Larnaca 88.64% compared to 92.31% in 2001 and in Paphos 88.86% compared to 90.85 in 2001.

Savvides said counting of the votes began at polling stations and the whole process continues smoothly, adding that the allocation of seats will be announced around 2100 local time while final results will be ready at 0200 Monday.

[03] PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

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 were registered to 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 were 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] 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.

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