Nicosia, Cyprus. Voters in Cyprus will be able to present the virtual version of their identity card through the government’s “digital citizen” mobile application as proof of identity at polling stations during the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Digital identity checks at polling stations
Chief returning officer Elikkos Elia said a control mechanism has been developed to prevent fraudulent use of the application, and that it will operate at polling stations across the island.
“Where do I vote” application
Elia said voters will also be able to use a separate mobile application, named “where do I vote”, to find the polling station where they are registered. To use it, voters will need to enter their identity card number and date of birth. He said the application should be ready for public use on Monday or Tuesday.
Timing for election results
Elia said it will be known two or three hours after polls close how many MPs each party will send to parliament, while the names of all 56 MPs will be known by 1am or 2am on May 25, the day after the election.
Ballot paper printing and layout
Elia said printing of ballot papers should be completed by Wednesday. He said there would be no problem arising from the fact that ballot papers will be double-sided, except for those printed in the Larnaca district and those printed for the election of a Maronite Cypriot non-voting representative.
He said that in the Nicosia, Limassol, Famagusta, Paphos and Kyrenia districts, names of candidates and parties will appear on both sides of the ballot. He added that the election processes for the Armenian Cypriot and Latin Cypriot non-voting representative are already complete.
Seat distribution by district
Of the 56 seats up for election later this month, 19 will belong to MPs from the Nicosia district, 12 to MPs from the Limassol district, 11 to MPs from the Famagusta district, six to MPs from the Larnaca district, five to MPs from the Paphos district, and three to MPs from the Kyrenia district.
Paphos gained an extra seat ahead of May’s election due to growth in its voting population, with the gain coming at the Nicosia district’s expense.
Will you use the “digital citizen” app as your proof of identity when voting?