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CYPRUS
 COUNTRY  Republic of Cyprus
 ELECTION TYPE  Presidential
 DATE  February 16, 2003
At stake in this election:
  • The office of the president of the Republic of Cyprus.
Description of government structure:
  • Head of State and Head of Government: Glafcos CLERIDES
  • National Assembly: Cyprus has the House of Representatives (Vouli Antiprosopon) which consists of 80 seats.*

*Note: According to Article 61, the House of Representatives is identified as having the right to exercise the legislative power of the state, except on certain matters reserved to the Communal Chambers.

Description of electoral system:
  • The president is elected by popular vote to serve a five-year term. Under the Constitution a candidate must secure a majority vote of 50% to win the presidency.*
  • In the House of Representatives, members are elected by popular vote to serve a five-year term. Out of its 80 seats, 56 seats are reserved for Greek Cypriot community while the remaining 24 are reserved for the Turkish Cypriot community.

*Note: The 1960 Constitution stipulates that the President (who must be a Greek Cypriot) is elected by the Greek Cypriot community while the Vice President (who must be a Turkish Cypriot) is elected by the Turkish Cypriot community. However, the position of Vice President and the 24 seats reserved for Turkish Cypriot representatives are currently vacant pending results of the UN reunification process.

Results of the presidential race:

  • Presidential candidate: Tassos PAPADOPOULOS*
    Party: Democratic Party (DIKO)
    *also has the support of the Restorative Party of the Working People (AKEL) and the Social Democratic Movement (KISOS)
    Votes Received: 213,353
    Percentage of Votes Received: 51.51%

  • Presidential candidate: Glafcos CLERIDES
    Party: Democratic Coalition (DISI)
    Votes Received: 160,724
    Percentage of Votes Received: 38.80%

  • Presidential candidate: Alecos MARKIDES
    Party: Independent
    Votes Received: 27,404
    Percentage of Votes Received: 6.62%

  • Presidential candidate: Nicos KOUTSOU
    Party: New Horizons
    Votes Received: 8,771
    Percentage of Votes Received: 2.12%

  • Presidential candidate: Costas KYRIACOU
    Party: Independent
    Votes Received: 1,840
    Percentage of Votes Received: 0.44%

  • Presidential candidate: Andreas EFSTRATIOU
    Party: Independent
    Votes Received: 606
    Percentage of Votes Received: 0.15%

  • Presidential candidate: Adamos KATSANTONIS
    Party: Independent
    Votes Received: 558
    Percentage of Votes Received: 0.13%

  • Presidential candidate: Christos IOSIFIDES
    Party: Independent
    Votes Received: 391
    Percentage of Votes Received: 0.09%

  • Presidential candidate: Pantelis SOFOKLEOUS
    Party: Independent
    Votes Received: 209
    Percentage of Votes Received: 0.05%

  • Presidential candidate: Georgios MAVROGENIS
    Party: Independent
    Votes Received: 337
    Percentage of Votes Received: 0.08%

When was the last election?
  • The last presidential election was held on February 15, 1998. In this election, CLERIDES won the presidency by securing 50.8% of the votes, while opponent George IACOVOU secured 49.2% of the votes cast.
Population and number of registered voters:
  • Population: 767,314 (July 2002 est.)
  • Number of registered voters: 476,345
Is there anything unique about this upcoming election that would be of interest to an international audience?
  • CLERIDES announced his bid for re-election after the Election Commission announced the date of its presidential elections in January. He indicated that he will serve only a part of the five year term. His motive for seeking reelection was to maintain participation with the UN negotiations over reunification between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.
  • The Republic of Cyprus is scheduled to sign the EU Accession Treaty on April 16, 2003.
  • PAPADOPOULOS will be scheduled to take his oath of office on February 28 at the House of Representatives. At the same time, CLERIDES is expected to leave his post as president.
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