Four laws revising electoral provisions and the legislative framework of Local Government reform were passed by the Plenary Session of the Parliament
The first lawrevises the Law on Municipalities regarding the holding of TA elections in order to make the implementation of the new framework of action and operation of municipalities more effective. 33 deputies voted in favor, 2 against and there were 15 abstentions. A DISY amendment was also passed so that the incompatibility of hourly employees in the School Ephorates only concerns the position of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
The second lawamends the Law on the Population Register, so that in municipal districts in which the number of registered voters does not exceed two hundred voters, the possibility is provided to voters who do not have their usual residence in the mentioned municipal districts to register as voters of their own choice, under certain conditions, as is currently the case in the case of small communities, bearing in mind that under the local government reform twenty-two (22) small communities will be municipal divisions of the newly established municipalities. They voted in favor 45 against 1 and there were 2 abstentions.
The third lawamends the Law on Provincial Self-Government Organizations, in order to introduce additional legislative regulations and to revise its current provisions regarding the conduct of elections for the nomination of the presidents of the councils of the provincial self-government organizations. 30 voted in favor, 2 against, and there were 16 abstentions.
The Fourth Lawamends the Law on Communities, so that, among other things, additional legislative regulations regarding the conduct of local government elections are introduced into it and some of its provisions are further revised, in order to make the implementation of the new framework of action and operation of communities and clusters more effective communities. They voted in favor 42 against 2 and there were 2 abstentions. A DISY amendment was also approved regarding the incompatibility of the hourly waged employees of the school administration of the communities. AKEL's amendment was also approved so that the headquarters of the cluster would be determined during the first session of its council instead of during the first session of the joint affairs management council.
In his statement to the Plenary, the independent Member of Parliament Andreas Themistokleous expressed strong disagreement with the provision that does not allow candidates for the TA elections to be candidates for the European Parliament elections at the same time and said that such a thing is unthinkable and limits the electoral civil rights, while it only happens in Cyprus. He tabled a relevant amendment to change this, which was however rejected.
Dipa Member of Parliament – Cooperation Marinos Moussiouttasexpressed the hope that with these arrangements but also with other changes for the reform of the TA that will come before the summer, the reform will work with the aim of the TA being closer to the citizen, offering quality services and making greater savings.< /p>
DISY Member of Parliament Nikos Sykashe said that his party will vote for the bills in their entirety, while he referred to the DISY amendment for hourly workers in school boards. According to her, after being elected as municipal councilors they will not be obliged to leave their permanent position.
AKEL Member of Parliament Aristos Damianosexpressed the annoyance of the Parliament and the Interior Committee that these implementing laws do not come in time and the Parliament is asked to approve them under the pressure of time and before April 2 when the list closes. He added that this Parliament has learned not to change electoral laws on the eve of elections. He said that there are changes that affect even incumbent candidates but also the distribution of seats that had been agreed upon. He spoke of “lack of respect” and “breach of what was agreed” on the part of the Government.
Among other things, he said that with the amendments, the obligation to resign for existing mayors who are candidates for President of a Provincial Self-Government Organization, while putting candidate community leaders and community councils to argue about where the seat will go.
He said that the abolition of the obligation to resign casts a shadow over the Mayor of Nicosia and it would be a political misstep to change the electoral landscape for existing candidates.
The President of EDEK Marinos Sizopouloshe said that today's discussion is taking place since there is a need to cover weaknesses, shortcomings, contradictions and problems of the bill that the Parliament voted two years ago, saying that EDEK was the only party that voted against and warned. He added that even today's changes cannot improve the law to the desired extent, but drastic changes are needed. He noted that EDEK will abstain for this reason. He also predicted that there will be further problems with the reform.
DIKO MP Pavlos MylonasHe stated that what is being done with the GeSY should not be done, which whenever it needs improvement, “doctrines and ideologies are corrected”. he said that if he resigns, the one who will take over will be the deputy mayor who is a party member and is a candidate. He wondered if in this case it is not reprehensible.
Mr. Themistokleous referred to “oriental tricks” and expedients for those who insist that the Mayor of Nicosia resign and said that if he leaves the Mayor will be taken over by the Deputy Mayor.
Mr. Sykas said that when the Government belatedly brings amendments to the number of municipal councilors it is natural that there will be a reaction. He also noted that not even the MPs resign when they are candidates.
Mr. Damianou noted that the MPs proved that they stand by their word and asked that those voted two years ago be do not spoil today.
