Polling stations across Cyprus will open at 07:00 on Sunday and close at 18:00, with a one-hour break from 12:00 to 13:00, the General Electoral Commissioner has reminded voters ahead of what polls suggest will be one of the most competitive parliamentary elections in years.
The same hours apply at polling stations operating in Greece. In the United Kingdom, stations open at 08:00 and close at 16:00 local time, with a break from 12:00 to 12:30. The single station in Belgium operates from 08:00 to 17:00 local time, with a break from 12:00 to 13:00. Voters were urged to arrive early to cast their ballots.
The Commissioner stressed that all necessary administrative and legislative measures had been taken to guarantee the full secrecy of the vote, including for enclaved persons and prisoners, with the aim of conducting a transparent and objective election.
After receiving their ballot paper for their electoral district, voters must enter the voting booth before marking their choice. Entry and movement inside polling stations will be monitored to prevent any possibility of influence by third parties.
Voters were reminded to check that the ballot they receive from polling officials bears the official seal of the Republic, without which it is not considered valid. The Commissioner assured voters that their identity and their choice cannot be established afterwards by any person.
Sunday’s vote comes as the latest EXPLORER poll for Phileleftheros — the third and largest in the series, with 1,518 participants — points to a narrow DISY lead over AKEL, with ELAM firmly in third place. DISY stood at 18.9% and AKEL at 18.1% without redistribution; after redistribution of valid votes, the gap narrowed further to 19.7% against 18.8%. ELAM held third place with 11.1% without redistribution and 11.6% after redistribution.
DIKO and ALMA were level in fourth and fifth place on 8% without redistribution, followed by Direct Democracy on 6.5%. VOLT reached 3.1%, putting it close to the 3.6% nationwide threshold required to take part in the second allocation of seats. A significant share of voters has yet to settle on a choice, the poll found, leaving room for further movement before the ballot.
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