The first round of the Turkish Cypriot elections in the north concluded at 18:00 on Sunday, with preliminary results expected within approximately two hours, as the vote count is being carried out electronically.
A total of 777 polling stations were in operation to serve 218,313 registered voters, with seven candidates officially competing:
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Osman Zorba (Cyprus Socialist Party)
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Tufan Erhürman (Republican Turkish Party - CTP)
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Arif Salih Kırdağ (Independent)
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Ahmet Boran (Independent)
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Mehmet Hasgüler (Independent)
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İbrahim Yazıcı (Independent)
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Ersin Tatar (Independent)
A previously declared independent candidate, Hüseyin Gürlek, announced on Saturday his withdrawal from the race.
The battle is expected to be fought out between incumbent Tatar and opposition leader Erhürman.
As of 16:00, voter turnout stood at 53.19%. Turnout figures by district:
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Nicosia: 54.28%
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Kyrenia: 52.70%
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Trikomo: 54.06%
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Famagusta: 51.87%
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Lefka: 54.43%
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Morphou: 51.77%
If no candidate secures more than 50% plus one vote, a run-off between the two leading contenders will be held next Sunday.
Legal proceedings began against 10 individuals for violating the 'election law' during the course of the voting process. No further details were provided regarding the nature of the offences. Tatar was also reported to 'police' for allegedly breaking 'election law'.
The 'High Electoral Council' decided to refer a complaint to the 'police' regarding an alleged violation over the pre-election silence period. The complaint, filed by a representative of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), alleges Tatar made public statements on a television after the campaign deadline expired at 18:00 on Saturday - an offence that could carry a sentence of up to six months' imprisonment.
Christodoulides ready to meet new leader
Earlier in the day, Deputy Government Spokesman Yiannis Antoniou stated that recent progress on the Cyprus problem, however limited, has enabled the Greek Cypriot side to neutralise a number of unacceptable preconditions previously imposed by the Turkish side for the resumption of talks.
Antoniou highlighted that the next step is the informal expanded summit announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, which is expected to take place after the election of the new Turkish Cypriot leader.
He also reiterated President Nikos Christodoulides’ commitment to meeting with the new leader regardless of who is elected, with sincerity and a genuine desire to move the peace process forward.