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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-02-24Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS - POLLING STATIONS OPENPolls opened here Sunday at 0700 local time (0500 GMT) to elect a new Cyrus President for a five-year term. Polls opened on time and voting will continue until 1700 with an hours break at midday.There are two candidates competing for the Republics highest post in this second round of presidential elections: Euro MP and former Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and House of Representatives President, General Secretary of AKEL Demetris Christofias. A candidate needs to secure 50% plus one vote to be elected President. Kasoulides and Christofias went through to the second round having secured most of the votes in the first round of presidential elections, held last Sunday. Kasoulides secured 150,996 votes or 33.51% and Christofias 150,016 or 33.29%. Outgoing President Tassos Papadopoulos did not qualify for the run off election, having secured 31,79%. Kasoulides is backed by the rightwing Democratic Rally party and other smaller movements. Christofias is backed by leftwing AKEL, the centrewirght Democratic Party (DIKO), the Social Democrats Movement EDEK and the Ecologists-Environmentalists Movement. Two other small parties, the Front for the Centres Reconstruction and the United Democrats, also back Christofias` candidacy. The European Party decided not to support any of the two candidates. The Struggling Democratic Movement (ADIK) decided to call on its members and followers to decide and act freely and according to their conscience. A total of 515,994 Cypriots voters, including 390 Turkish Cypriots, will go to 1,159 polling stations in the free areas of the Republic to cast their vote, in favour of one of the two presidential hopefuls. There are 438 polling stations in Nicosia District, 340 in Limassol District, 55 in the free areas of Famagusta District, 190 in Larnaca District and 134 in Paphos District. Two special polling stations will operate for the Greek Cypriots living as enclaved in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the country. Head of the Central Election Commission, at the Ministry of the Interior, Demetris Demetriou has said that no problems are expected on polling day. Speaking to the press Chief of Police Iacovos Papacostas said everything is in place and about 5,500 police officers will maintain law and order on Sunday, both during the day as well as at night when the proclamation of the new President will take place. The new President is expected to be proclaimed tonight, at around 2230 local time (2030 GMT), at ``Eleftheria`` (Freedom) indoor stadium in the capital Nicosia. [02] CHIEF RETURNING OFFICER - ELECTIONSChief Returning Officer Lazaros Savvides said on Sunday morning that everything was running smoothly at the 1,159 polling stations, which opened at 0700 local time (0500 GMT) for the second round of the presidential elections.He added that a power cut in certain areas of Nicosia, namely Engomi and Ayios Dhometios, had not affected voting. Ioannis Kasoulides and Demetris Christofias have passed into the run off election for the presidency of the Republic, having secured the most votes in the first round of the elections on February 17. A candidate needs to secure 50% plus one vote to be elected President. [03] ELECTIONS - POLICE MEASURESThe Police are ready to maintain law and order during Sunday`s voting in the run off presidential elections and the counting of votes, until the new President of the Republic is proclaimed. A Police spokesman said the whole operation was being coordinated by the Headquarters, adding that it was a difficult task.The spokesman expressed hope that there would be no incidents that would demand the intervention of the Police, adding that so far everything was calm. According to the spokesman, the Police have plans on how to regulate traffic in order to facilitate voters and security measures were in place at the political parties and the election offices of the candidates. He added that the Police were on alert with full staff. Ioannis Kasoulides and Demetris Christofias have passed into the run off election for the presidency of the Republic, having secured most of the votes in the first round of the elections on February 17. A candidate needs to secure 50% plus one vote to be elected President. [04] PAPADOPOULOS - VOTEOutgoing President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos assured on Sunday that he would always be present, beside and with the people, and expressed hope that the new President to be elected would utilise all opportunities and possibilities available to achieve the solution of the Cyprus problem that the country is entitled to and deserves.Speaking after casting his vote at a polling station in the Nicosia district, Papadopoulos called on all to accept the result of the run off election in a democratic and peaceful manner, avoiding extremities and fanaticism. Papadopoulos said Monday ``should find us all united in the common struggle to save our homeland.`` ``I deliver a proud and dignified Republic of Cyprus, respected by the international community, in the heart of Europe, stronger than ever. I deliver the Republic of Cyprus with a robust economy, a fiscal surplus, with the euro as our country`s currency, with a strengthened welfare state and new state institutions that have made the life of every citizen easier,`` he said. Papadopoulos added that ``today we have better prospects and hopes to achieve the solution we deserve`` to the Cyprus problem. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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