Nicosia, Cyprus. Election campaigning officially ended at midnight on Friday ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary elections, as required by electoral law. The legally mandated pre-election silence period is now in effect through election day.
Silence period restrictions
Pre-election rallies and all party political activities ended at midnight on Friday. During both the eve of the vote and election day itself, political advertisements, statements and gatherings directly or indirectly related to the elections are prohibited, including advertising on social media, apps and the wider internet.
Limits on publications and announcements
The publication of any news item or announcement, whether paid for or not, is also banned, except for announcements or information issued by the general returning officer or with his authorisation.
Removal of campaign advertising
Campaign advertisements for party slates or individual candidates displayed on billboards or in other public spaces were required to be removed by midnight on Friday. Online advertisements, whether paid or unpaid, as well as links directing users to party or candidate accounts that could be interpreted as campaign promotion, must also be taken down, while the posting of new campaign-related content is prohibited.
Content allowed to remain accessible
Content published on social media or on party, candidate or campaign team accounts before the start of the silence period may remain online. Political party and candidate websites may also continue to operate, as access to them depends on the user’s own initiative.
How will the silence period rules affect what election-related content you see online before voting?