Cypriots go to the polls today Sunday 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.
Polls opened in the southern government controlled areas of the Republic at 0700 local time (0400 GMT) and will close at 1800 (1500 GMT) with an hour break at midday.
Registered voters for Sunday`s parliamentary elections stand at 542,915, who will case their vote in 1,136 polling stations.
A total of 70 enclaved Cypriots (living the northern Turkish occupied part of the country) from the electoral district of Kyrenia and 201 from the district of Famagusta will also vote.
Moreover, Cypriot nationals who live in Greece and the UK will be able to vote. Ballots will operate on election day in Athens, Thessaloniki and Patra in Greece and two in London.
Parliamentary parties, DISY, AKEL, DIKO, EDEK, Cyprus Green Party – Citizens Cooperation, Symmahia Politon (Citizens` Alliance), newly formed Allilegyi (Solidarity) are contesting the elections with a full combination of candidates.
The National Popular Front (ELAM), Social Movement Simea, the Animal Party Cyprus (APC), Union of Fighters for Justice (OAD) and Pnoi Laou are also part of the election race with their own candidates. Today`s contest includes independent candidates Christoforou George (Nicosia) Stavrou Loucas (Limassol) Efstratiou Andreas (Paphos), Aggeli Antonis (Kyrenia) and Theodoulou Theodoulos (Kyrenia).
Around 1.500 members of the Police Force will be on duty on Sunday to ensure the voting process runs smoothly.
The results for the first round of allocation of seats are expected around 2300 local time (2000 GMT) if no problems arise.
Maronites and Latins, who belong to the Greek Cypriot community, will also elect their representative to the House, who does not have the right to vote. Vartkes Mahtesian was elected unopposed representative of the Armenian religious group