The European elections can not be held outside the framework prescribed by the law, the Interior Minister Socratis Hasikos has stated to CNA.
The Minister was invited by CNA to comment on the protests by a group of Turkish Cypriots for not being included in the electoral register and therefore were unable to vote in Sunday`s European Parliament elections, during which Cyprus will elect six MEPs.
A bill adopted last March by the Cyprus House of Representatives, amended previous legislation, allowing for the automatic registration of Turkish Cypriots who do not reside in the government-controlled areas of the island.
Previous legislation provided that all citizens of the Republic have the right to vote, but must apply to be included in the electoral roll once they reach the age of 18.
With the new law, 58,637 Turkish Cypriots automatically have the right to vote in the European elections, but need to have their address of residence recorded by the authorities.
A total of 50 special polling stations are operating on Sunday for Turkish Cypriots to cast their vote.
Tension rose on Sunday morning at a polling station near Ledra Palace, in Nicosia, when Turkish Cypriot voters protested for not being included in the register.
Güven Varoğlu and Şener Elcil, the leadership of the trade union of Turkish Cypriot teachers (KTÖS) and other members, protested for not having their names included in the roll. They demanded for a document stating the reason they were not able to vote, which was given to them two hours later.
The Minister of Interior also visited the polling station at around 12.00 local time (9.00 GMT), and talked with voters who protested.
In his statements afterwards, Hasikos told CNA that elections are held according to the law. He added that the number of Turkish Cypriot voters who went to the polling stations and were unable to vote was limited until 12.00 to 150 island-wide.
Moreover, in statements to Turkish Cypriot media, who were on the spot covering the event, the Minister noted that 56 thousand Turkish Cypriots have their addresses registered, while 10 thousand don’t.
Hasikos also said that the relevant provisions of the law, giving the right to Turkish Cypriots to vote, were passed by the Cyprus House of Representatives and he could not go against them.
The Minister said finally that the incorporation of the Turkish Cypriot electorate in Sunday`s electoral process is a first step and thanked the Turkish Cypriots who participated, either as candidates or voters.
Turkish Cypriot MEP candidates were also on spot and protested the non-inclusion of voters, with statements to Turkish Cypriot media.