Nicosia, Cyprus. A total of 837 Turkish Cypriots are registered to vote in May’s parliamentary election, interior ministry permanent secretary Elikkos Elia said on Saturday. The figure is up three from the 834 registered for the 2024 European parliament elections.
Voting eligibility under the doctrine of necessity
Turkish Cypriots who live in territories under government control and who have identity cards issued by the Republic of Cyprus can vote and stand in presidential and parliamentary elections in line with the doctrine of necessity. The doctrine outlines the running of the Greek Cypriot-led government after the outbreak of intercommunal violence in 1963.
Parliamentary seats and constitutional changes
The Republic of Cyprus’ constitution initially foresaw a parliament with 50 voting members, of whom 35 would be Greek Cypriots and 15 would be Turkish Cypriots, as well as non-voting observers belonging to the Armenian, Latin, and Maronite communities.
Following the breakdown of constitutional order and the outbreak of intercommunal violence in 1963, Turkish Cypriots were unable to return to their seats in parliament, leaving 35 voting members.
That figure was raised to 56 Greek Cypriots ahead of the 1985 parliamentary elections after the constitution was altered using the doctrine of necessity. The amendment foresees 24 Turkish Cypriots also being elected, but this has not happened as the Cyprus problem remains unsolved.
Candidacy and political position
Legislation based on the doctrine of necessity allows Turkish Cypriots living in territories under government control to vote and stand in parliamentary elections on the list of 56, as well as in presidential elections.
One Turkish Cypriot, the Ecologists’ Movement’s Oz Karahan, has announced he will stand as a candidate in May’s election.
Karahan opposes a federal solution to the Cyprus problem, the model ostensibly favoured by President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman. He supports a solution by means of a unitary state akin to the Republic of Cyprus initially envisioned by the 1960 constitution. Greece and Turkey are also unitary states.
Where most Turkish Cypriots vote
Aside from Karahan and the 837 Turkish Cypriots registered to vote so far, the majority of Turkish Cypriots continue to live in the north and vote in Turkish Cypriot elections.
How do eligibility rules affect Turkish Cypriot participation in May’s parliamentary election?
