A record number of 494 candidates have come forward for the May 22 parliamentary elections, with campaigns getting frantic in the last few days as traditional foes turn on each other in a desperate effort to win over voters, despite an anticipated low voter turnout due to frustration.
The main issues of argument are none other than the usual: who is best suited to solve the Cyprus problem (or not) and who is to blame for the economic crisis that has gripped the island since March 2013, with some avoiding the more important issue of what led to the crisis.
Parliamentary parties DISY, AKEL, DIKO, EDEK, Cyprus Green Party – Citizens Cooperation, Citizens’ Alliance, newly formed Allilengyi/Solidarity which has absorbed in its ranks parliamentary party EVROKO (European Party) have submitted full electoral tickets in all districts.
Fewer candidacies were submitted by other parties such as National Popular Front (ELAM), Social Movement Simea, the Animal Party Cyprus (APC), Union of Fighters for Justice (OAD), Pnoi Laou and a number of independents.
Four candidates are running for the post of representative of the Maronite religious group, and two for the post of representative of the Latin religious group. Incumbent Vartkes Mahdessian was the only candidate for the post of representative of the Armenian religious group and was officially declared his seat last week.
Cypriot nationals who live abroad will also be able to vote. Ballots will operate on election day in Athens, Thessaloniki and Patra in Greece as well as London in the UK.
A law, approved in November 2015 by the majority of the House of Representatives plenary, raises the electoral threshold from 1.8% to 3.6%. This will apply as of this parliamentary election. The threshold in the third round of vote counting has been raised to 7.2% from 3.6%.
The total of registered voters is 542,915, while the number of polling stations is 1,136.
According to an official press release, 70 enclaved Cypriots from the electoral district of Kyrenia and 201 from the district of Famagusta will also vote.
Meanwhile, the University of Cyprus declared that 20 of the hopeful candidate are its own graduates.
These are:
Antoniou Georgia (ELAM);
Geadis Geadis (ELAM);
Gregoriou Andreas (AKEL);
Danezi-Pelekanou Maria (AKEL);
Demetriou Annita (DISY);
Demetriou Demetris (DISY);
Diplaros Costas (AKEL);
Zaoura Athina (AKEL);
Theologou Anna (Citizens’ Aliance);
Iordanou Inisiforos (DISY);
Ioannou Valentinos (DISY);
Cleanthous Petros (AKEL);
Kola Maria (Greens);
Koulla Onoufrios (DISY);
Cosntantinou Xenia (DISY);
Xanthou Efi (Greens);
Economides Yiorgos (EDEK);
Sakadaki Alexia (Greens);
Stylianou Stelios (Citizens’ Alliance);
Christophides Christos (AKEL).
