Cyprus voters elect new parliament

Cyprus elects a new parliament on Sunday in a process likely to show a decline in support for major parties and a sizeable abstention rate among voters angered by corruption scandals.

More than 10 political parties or formations are seeking seats in a vote which will not likely produce an absolute majority given this has not been the outcome for several decades. Elections are held every five years.

Polling stations opened at 0400 GMT, with just over 558,000 eligible to vote, and close at 1500 GMT. In addition to 1,150 polling stations, nine mobile units were operating to assist voters suffering from COVID-19, election officials said.

Cyprus – divided among its Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations but whose government controls the Greek Cypriot side – has an executive system of government. The poll is a test run for allegiances that may be formed ahead of presidential elections scheduled in 2023.

President Nicos Anastasiades of the right-wing Democratic Rally party is in his second-five year term.