The circular for the announcement of the elections in the Holy Metropolis of Paphos on Sunday, February 19, was issued today by the Archbishop of Nea Justiniana and all of Cyprus George, who is also the Custodian of the vacated Metropolitan Throne of Paphos. elections, Ioannis Charilaou, Director of the Auditing Department of the Church of Cyprus is appointed. to be proposed to the Holy Synod for the election of the new Metropolitan of Paphos.
According to the Statutory Charter of the Church, it is added to the circular, the election process, for the selection of a new Metropolitan, includes two stages, the formation of three persons through universal voting and the election of the Metropolitan by the Holy Synod.< /p>
Therefore, he continues, a universal secret ballot will be held on Sunday, February 19, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., after a one-hour break between the hours of 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
It should also be pointed out that all Orthodox Christians over the age of 18, residents of the Metropolitan Region of Paphos and those who have been permanently resident, for at least one year, in the Metropolitan Region of Paphos, with the exception of refugees, have the right to vote.
On this date, it is stated, the clergy and the people, coming to the election centers that will be designated shortly, will vote for the person of their choice.
In addition, it is stated, for the convenience of the crew of of the Holy Metropolis of Paphos, it was arranged that during the election a number of polling stations would operate, so that voters could vote at the polling station closest to their place of residence.
Therefore, it is noted, electoral lists will be drawn up for each electoral center. Also, the Electoral Committee of each polling center will be appointed by the Church of Cyprus. Also, as stated, each ballot will be white and for the purposes of the election will bear a special seal of the Holy Synod.
On the ballot the voter will write by hand the name of the person to be elected to the High Priesthood of of his preference, is completed.
If the voter is unable to express his will in writing, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission is obliged, according to the circular, to write on the ballot the name indicated by the voter.
Then, after upon completion of the counting of votes at the polling stations, the results of the voting will be sent to the Archdiocese.
Also, any voter may submit within three days to the Holy Synod, objections regarding the electoral process.
Within five days of the deadline for submitting objections, the circular continues, the Holy Synod will convene and will decide definitively on them, will proceed with the validation of the results and the formation of the triumvirate, from the three persons with the majority of votes.
In the event of a tie, a lottery will be held during the session of the Holy Synod, it is noted.
Within three days of the training of the three persons, the Holy Synod will be convened for the election of the Metropolitan of Paphos.
The list of voters of each electoral center will be published by posting it in the holy temples of the parishes and communities of Metropolitan Region of Paphos.
It is also added that anyone who has a legal interest is entitled to submit a written objection on the list. It is noted that the Observer examines the objections and makes a decision at the latest five days before the set date for election of the three-person necessary, with the competent services of the State.
The Metropolitan throne of Paphos was vacated after the election on December 24, 2022 of the then Metropolitan of Paphos Georgios as Archbishop of Cyprus.
