The applications for first registration in the electoral rolls reached 25,914 – The double election in numbers – “Optimistic that the citizens will not ultimately turn their backs on this process” declares the DG Ministry of Internal Affairs
At midnight on April 2, 2024, the process of registration in the electoral rolls for the Elections for the nomination of Authorities was completed < strong>Local Self-Government, School MembersEphorates and Members of the European Parliament, which will take place on June 9, 2024.
As announced today by Director General of the Ministry of Interior Dr. Elikkos Ilias, “in the period from January 3 to April 2, 2024, a total of 25,914 applications were submitted for first registration in the electoral rolls, of which 12,868 were from Cypriot citizens< /strong>for registration in the permanent electoral roll, which provides the right to participate in all Elections and obtain an electoral book. 860 of them were submitted electronically, via the internet from ages up to 25, while 103 applications concern Turkish Cypriots living in the free areas of the Republic”. of Local Government, were submitted a total of 10,146 applications from citizens of other member states of the European Union who reside in Cyprus and have the right to vote and be elected in the elections of Local Government Authorities, under the same conditions as Cypriot citizens.
Also , 2,900 applications were submitted by European citizens for registration in the special electoral roll for the Elections for the Nomination of Members of the European Parliament.
According to Dr. Ilias, “the supplementary electoral lists will be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic next Friday, April 5, 2024 and will be posted in the Offices of the Provincial Administrations, the relevant Municipalities or Community Councils of each Parish or Community separately, for a period of ten days , for inspection and submission of any objections by any interested person. After the expiry of the above deadline, the supplementary electoral rolls will become final and will be incorporated into the permanent and special electoral rolls, which will be used for the purposes of the upcoming elections”.
Regarding the election centersthat will operate abroad, the Director General of the Ministry of the Interior noted that, in the period from January 3 to April 2, 2024, a total of 4,831 declarations were submitted, of which 2,292 were in paper form and 2,539 online. Based on the entries in the special foreign electoral roll, election centers will operate in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Komotini, Volos, Heraklion, Ioannina, London (Cypriot Community Center and High Commission Building), Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Brussels.
In relation to voters who have submitted a statement to vote in any other city abroad (Rhodes, Larissa, Rethymno, Bristol or Leeds), Dr. Ilias invited those interested to declare by April 10, 2024, if they wish to exercise their right to vote in any of the cities where polling centers will operate. Those who wish to do so are requested to send the following information to the Ministry of the Interior, either by e-mail at [email protected], or by fax to the number 22 67 84 86: Name, ID number, initial city of declaration, new city of declaration. It is noted that those who do not submit a new declaration will remain registered in the electoral rolls in Cyprus.
Responding to a related question, the Director General of the Ministry of Interior said that the number of new registered voters is satisfactory especially compared to the corresponding numbers of other EU countries. “My assessment is that Cypriot citizens wish to participate and will come on June 9 to vote in the election in a larger percentage. There is huge interest regarding the elections of Local Authorities, but also the European elections and I am optimistic that the citizens will not finally turn their backs on this process and come to vote, despite the fact that we said that it will not be a simple process. They will get in their hands, if they are in the Communities up to four ballots and if they are in municipal areas up to six ballots. Therefore, I believe that the people will be able to vote and elect those they wish in 3-4', said Dr. Elias.
Regarding the submission of nominations, he reminded that on April 24th the nominations will be submitted for the Elections for the nomination of Members of the European Parliament and on April 25th and 29th the nominations will be submitted for the Elections for the nomination of Members of Local Self-Governing Authorities and School Superintendents. “We estimate that there will be thousands of candidates, that's why we believe that there will be an increased interest in attending,” he said.
He also congratulated the staff of the Elections Service and the District Administrations for the great work they carried out, so that the registration process in the electoral rolls was successful.
Dr. Ilias, responding to a question about the staffing of the polling stations, pointed out that approximately 10,000 people would be needed and called on civil servants and staff of parastatals and the private sector to declare until April 11th their interest in working on Election Day.
He explained, finally, that the nomination of the MEPs will take place on Monday, June 10th, while for the Local Self-Government, the elected will be announced on Tuesday, June 11. “Finally, I would like to add that these Elections are combined with the great reform of Local Government. The Ministry is working systematically, and the Minister of the Interior for this Local Government reform to succeed and we are sure that we will turn the page on July 1, 2024 and have a single structure, which will better serve the citizen”, he underlined, finally, the Director General of the Ministry of the Interior.
