Nicosia, Cyprus. Chief Returning Officer Elikkos Elias said Anastasia Anthousi’s appeal to the electoral court over a disputed parliamentary seat was “honest” and that the elections service would fully implement any ruling.
Appeal over Nikitari vote correction
Anthousi, a Disy candidate in Nicosia in the parliamentary elections held in May, filed an objection seeking a recount at a polling station in Nikitari.
The objection followed a correction involving five votes initially recorded for Elam that were later attributed to Edek. The correction affected the second distribution of parliamentary seats, resulting in a seat moving from Disy to Elam.
Electoral court decision
Elias said the elections service would recount the ballot box if ordered to do so by the electoral court.
“If it is proven that there was no change in the final result announced for Nikitari, then things will remain as they are,” he said.
“If it is however proven that there was an error by the specific polling station, the court will decide and tell us what to do.”
Candidate’s request
Anthousi received 7,606 votes and is seeking a recount, annulment of the result concerning the disputed seat and recognition as the elected candidate if the court rules in her favour.
The elections service confirmed that the objection had been registered and said it would comply with any decision issued by the electoral court.
Electoral system review
Elias said the case had also raised broader concerns about the structure of the electoral system and called for the House to review it.
