35.4% of registered voters exercised their right to vote in the election of a new President of the Republic of Cyprus before 12:00.

According to Commissioner for Elections Costas Constantinou, in the first round of elections, the corresponding percentage was 33.7%, which means an increase of 1.7 percentage points.

Compared to the same period in the 2018 presidential election, the percentage reached 32.6%, indicating an increase of 2.8 percentage points.

Anastasiadis: I will be present, always discreetly

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiadis, accompanied by his wife Andri Anastasiades and their grandchildren, exercised their right to vote in the second round of the presidential elections at Laniteo Lyceum, Center A, in Limassol.

After exercising his right to vote, N. Anastasiades, in his statements to the media and to the question whether he would be on the side of the one who would be elected President of the Republic, said that “it is the duty of each of us. Today, the people decide who will be the next president. We must surround him, whoever he is, with love and trust, where everyone can contribute, so that he succeeds in his work. This is our duty. And if I want something, it is to repeat what the rules of democracy dictate. The people decide, the majority decides, and the minority respects.

N. Anastasiadis invited citizens to take part in the electoral process. “We have said this many times, no matter what feelings anyone has, they should exercise their suffrage and duty, if you will, regarding democracy, unaffected, based on their own criteria,” he stressed.

When asked if a new cycle is being opened for him, N. Anastasiadis replied that “it is not a matter of opening another cycle. I will be present, always discreetly, and where and where my intervention is required, it will be in a positive, not in a negative direction.

Asked to comment on Kate Cleridis’ corruption statement yesterday, N. Anastasiadis said: “I don’t want to comment on obscene language. I don’t want to comment on what others have tried to convey to people. There must be mutual respect. I don’t want to say anything more.” To the journalist’s remark that he speaks with bitterness, N. Anastasiadis replied “and, of course, with bitterness.”

Christodoulidis: let’s live up to the expectations of the Cypriots

The presidential candidate of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulidis, exercised his right to vote today at Geroskipou 1st Primary School, Center 4, in Paphos. Immediately afterwards, in his speeches to journalists, Mr. Christodoulidis stated the following:

“I just exercised my right to vote on a very significant day for me, today is a sunny day. Something that I am hiding from this long election campaign is that the Cypriot people know, understand and know very well what is at stake in the elections, what dilemmas they face. And I fully trust the opinion of the Cypriot people. I know very well that the Cypriot people want to create hope and perspective, hope and perspective for the whole people, for us and our children. It is very important, because we want the same thing, that there be mass participation in the elections. Abstinence is not an option. Abstinence simply ensures that everything that bothers us continues. And most importantly, let us all be united the day after the elections. Problems, challenges – as I have repeatedly mentioned in this election campaign – have neither a political color nor an ideological origin, and we can, obviously, better, by collective efforts, meet the expectations of the Cypriot people. I said this last week, I want to repeat today, the main issue is to successfully meet the expectations of the Cypriot people, regardless of party affiliation, regardless of ideological coloring, non-partisan voters, new voters. Problems and challenges, I repeat, require common approaches, and we can ensure this collectiveness, which, in the final analysis, is also the demand of the Cypriot people. Thank you very much”.

Mavroyiannis: Now is not the time for controversy

The presidential candidate of the Republic, Andreas Mavroyiannis, exercised his right to vote. In his statements, he said: “Democracy requires participation. Today I am sending a great message of unity and solidarity. Now is not the time for divisions.” Asked if he thought that the statements of the President of the Republic, Kate Kliridou, outside the polling station demonstrated political ethics, Mr. Mavroyiannis replied: “No”. Asked if he was optimistic about the result, Mr Mavroyiannis said “everything points to us winning.”

^{With information from APE-MPE}