The cabinet has approved legislation to lower the voting age to 17 and introduce automatic voter registration, marking a significant electoral reform that is expected to pass parliament with broad support despite some concerns from ruling coalition parties.
President Nikos Christodoulides, speaking at yesterday’s cabinet meeting, called it “a historic day for democracy” as he announced the package of 13 amendment bills.
The reforms aim to be in place for the 2026 parliamentary elections.
“We trust our young people and want them to participate in state decisions, to have a voice and role”, Christodoulides said, urging parliament to respond swiftly to the proposals.
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said the legislative package would also allow driving licences to be used as identification at polling stations.
The Democratic Rally (DISY) party welcomed the move, noting it had submitted a similar proposal in 2023. Former DISY leader Averof Neofytou, who first proposed the measure in June 2023, wrote on X: “It is important that the significant message of trusting our youth becomes reality”.
While AKEL has not officially responded, sources indicate the party does not oppose lowering the voting age.
EDEK supports automatic registration but wants to maintain the voting age at 18, whilst also proposing a nationwide electoral list.
The reforms come despite concerns from some parties, including those in the ruling coalition, about organisational challenges in reaching younger voters through traditional party mechanisms.
