Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus will hold its first electronic election for the new House president on Thursday afternoon, with the 56 newly elected MPs voting through screens placed in front of them. The procedure was outlined to political parties on Wednesday by Diko MP Zacharias Koulias, who chaired the meeting as the eldest member.
Voting procedure
The 56 MPs, elected on May 24, will simultaneously select the candidate of their choice using the electronic system.
To be elected, a candidate must secure 29 votes, equal to 50 per cent plus one vote.
If no candidate is elected in the first round, a second round will be held between the two candidates who received the most votes.
Tie scenarios
If one candidate advances to the second round with the highest number of votes and the next two candidates are tied for second place, an additional vote will be held to determine which of the two advances.
If those two candidates again receive the same number of votes, the outcome will be decided by a draw.
If both candidates in the second round receive the same number of votes, the result will also be decided by a draw.
Parliament procedures
Under the new parliament regulations, a deputy president and a deputy to the deputy will also be elected, though not on Thursday. They will represent the House president when absent.
The procedure began on Tuesday, when MPs were informed of the new system.
Koulias said the 56 MPs would be called by name and sworn in before voting for the House president begins.