Nicosia, Cyprus. Nearly 750 people were expected to file candidacies on Wednesday as official registrations opened for those seeking election to one of the 56 seats in the House.
Candidate registration process
Candidacies are to be filed at six locations across the island, with all candidates required to register themselves in person.
Seat allocation by district
A total of 56 seats will be up for election later this month: 19 from the Nicosia district, 12 from Limassol, 11 from Famagusta, six from Larnaca, five from Paphos, and three from Kyrenia.
Change in Paphos representation
The Paphos district gained an extra seat ahead of May’s election due to growth in its voting population, with the additional seat coming at the Nicosia district’s expense.
Constitutional background to the current House size
The Republic of Cyprus’ constitution initially foresaw a parliament with 50 voting members, comprising 35 Greek Cypriots and 15 Turkish Cypriots, as well as non-voting observers from the Armenian, Latin, and Maronite communities. Following the breakdown of constitutional order and intercommunal violence in 1963, Turkish Cypriots were unable to return to their seats, leaving 35 voting members. The number was raised to 56 Greek Cypriots ahead of the 1985 parliamentary elections after the constitution was altered using the doctrine of necessity, with the amendment also foreseeing the election of 24 Turkish Cypriots, which has not occurred as the Cyprus problem remains unsolved.
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