Polling stations in all districts in the southern government controlled areas of the Republic closed at 1800 local time (1500 GMT) for the parliamentary elections, in which a total of 542,915 persons were entitled to vote.
Cypriots went to the polls to elect the 56 members of the new House of Representatives for a five-year term. This is the eleventh parliamentary election since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960.
A total of 70 enclaved Cypriots (living in the northern Turkish occupied part of the country) from the electoral district of Kyrenia and 201 from the district of Famagusta were also expected to vote.
Moreover, Cypriot nationals who live in Greece and the UK were able to vote. Ballots operated on election day in Athens, Thessaloniki and Patra in Greece and two in London.
Television stations in Cyprus announced the results of exit polls for Cyprus’ Parliamentary elections, with the closing of the polls at 1800 local time (15.00 GMT).
According to all exit polls, the new House of Representatives will comprise eight parties.
The ruling Democratic Rally (DISY) tops the bill, followed by the main opposition left wing AKEL party. Third in line is the Democratic Party (DIKO), while fourth party is either socialist EDEK or the Citizens’ Alliance.
Newcomers to the House of Representatives are the combination Ecologists – Citizens Cooperation, the Solidarity Movement and ultra-right ELAM, exit polls predict.
A Reuters report from Athens, carried a quote from Greece’s ultra right-wing Golden Dawn. “For the first time, Cyprus will get nationalists in its parliament,” Golden Dawn leader Nikos Mihaloliakos told Greece’s parliament minutes after the exit poll results were released.
In the last election in 2011, the DISY took 37.8 percent of the votes, followed by the left-wing AKEL party on 27 percent, the Democratic Party DIKO on 10.8 percent and the socialist EDEK on 7.7 percent.
(source: CNA)
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