Cyprus is a unitary presidential republic and holds elections to determine its political representatives. Here is some information about the election system in Cyprus:
- Presidential Elections: The President of Cyprus is the head of state and is elected through a direct popular vote. Presidential elections are held every five years. To win in the first round, a candidate must secure an absolute majority (50%+1) of the votes. If no candidate achieves this majority, a second round is held between the top two candidates.
- Parliamentary Elections: The House of Representatives is the unicameral legislative body of Cyprus. It consists of 56 seats, with 35 seats allocated to the Greek Cypriot community and 21 seats allocated to the Turkish Cypriot community. Members of Parliament, known as deputies, are elected through a proportional representation system. Seats are allocated to political parties based on the percentage of votes received, with thresholds for representation.
- Electoral Process: The Electoral Service of the Republic of Cyprus is responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in the country. It ensures the transparency and fairness of the electoral process, including voter registration, candidate nomination, and the counting of votes. The electoral system takes into account the unique political situation on the island, with separate constituencies for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
- Voter Eligibility: Cypriot citizens who are at least 18 years old have the right to vote. Voter registration is required, and citizens must be included in the electoral roll to participate in elections. Eligible voters can cast their ballots at designated polling stations within their respective constituencies.
