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Thursday, 19 December 2024 | ||
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 11-12-18Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] Polling stations closePolling stations in all districts in the southern government controlled areas of the Republic closed at 1800 local time (1600 GMT) for the local authorities elections, Chief Returning Officer Andreas Assiotis has announced.Speaking after the closing of the polling stations, Assiotis said that now begins the second phase of the elections, the selection and the counting of the ballots. Assiotis said that the counting of the ballots will take place at the polling stations, with the exception of some ballot boxes that concern communities in the northern Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus (divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion). Results for the post of mayors are expected to be announced by 2200. [02] Low turnout in municipal electionsTurnout in municipal elections has been lower compared to the 2006 local elections, Chief Returning Officer Andreas Assiotis has said, adding that turnout in Nicosia was 66% compared to 82% in the local elections of 2006.In statements here today, Assiotis said that turnout in Limassol reached 65% compared to 86% in 2006, in Famagusta 80% compared to 87% in 2006, 71% in Larnaka compared to 84% in 2006 and turnout in Paphos reached 83% compared to 86% in 2006. Assiotis said that turnout is significantly low in all areas except Paphos, and that in Nicosia and Limassol the turnout is very low. [03] No major problems in elections, police sayVoting at polling stations across the government-controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus has ended smoothly, with no major problems reported, Cyprus Police Spokesman Michalis Katsounotos told CNA. Voting for local authorities ended at 1800 today.Katsounotos said that only minor incidents were reported at some polling stations, which were resolved with the intervention of local election officers and the Police, with the exception of one incident at a polling station in Larnaca, which is being investigated. He also said that the members of the Police Force remain at the counting centres until the counting of votes is concluded. They will collect ballot boxes afterwards, in order to securely store them at the various Police Stations. Katsounotos noted that increased security measures will continue to apply at the various District Offices, where the results from the polling stations will be transmitted, as well as at the Interior Ministry, where the Chief Returning Officer and the Central Electoral Service are stationed. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |