Nicosia, Sep 25 (CNA) – Counting of the votes resumes later today in the first phase of a long and complex process to elect a new Archbishop.This phase will elect 1,400 special representatives of the four bishops, contesting the post of the head of the Church of Cyprus.
The latest official results as published on the website of the Church of Cyprus at 0100 GMT are as follows:
By the early hours of Monday only 290 out of the 401 districts were counted.
Archbishopric of Cyprus
—————————-
Registered voters: 144,597
Counted votes: 72,544 50.17%
Valid ballots: 69,766 96.17%
Invalid ballots/blank: 2,778 3.83%
Bishopric of Paphos
—————————–
Registered voters: 39,651
Counted votes: 22,547 56.86%
Valid ballots: 21,509 95.40%
Invalid ballots/blank: 1,038 4.60%
Bishopric of Kition
—————————–
Registered voters: 44,996
Counted votes: 21,200 47.12%
Valid ballots: 20,259 95.56%
Invalid ballots/blank: 941 4.44%
Bishopric of Limassol
—————————–
Registered voters: 96,805
Counted votes: 43,378 44.81%
Valid ballots: 41,331 95.28%
Invalid ballots/blank: 2,047 4.72%
Bishopric of Morphou
————————–
Registered voters: 13,032
Counted votes: 7,700 59.09%
Valid ballots: 7,348 95.43%
Invalid ballots/blank: 352 4.57%
Pancyprian
————–
Registered voters: 339,081
Counted votes: 167,369 49.36%
Valid ballots: 160,213 95.72%
Invalid ballots/blank: 7,156 4.28%
Acting Primate of the church, Paphos Bishop Chrysostomos has called a meeting today to examine last night’s procedure and problems that emerged to allow the counting of votes to continue and conclude today.
The 1,400 special representatives will form the Electoral Assembly, comprising 33 ex officio members (such as bishops, deputy bishops, abbots and monks) and 100 general representatives. The Assembly will then be called to the Holy Archbishopric to elect the Archbishop by secret ballot in two separate ballot boxes, one for each group that makes up the Assembly (ex officio and general representatives).
The new Archbishop must secure the majority of votes in both ballot boxes. In case of equal vote, the decision rests with the Holy Synod which meets to elect the archbishop in a secret ballot. If again, there is equal vote, the new archbishop is elected in a draw.
The name of the new Archbishop is expected to be announced in November.
