Nicosia, Cyprus. Residents of the Maronite and Greek Cypriot communities of Kormakitis and Karpasia travelled to Nicosia on Sunday to vote at Kykkos High School, with officials reporting high participation.
Voters arrive early
Elderly voters arrived early by bus and private transport, including the first group of 29 people from Kormakitis, who reached the polling centre shortly after 10.30am. A second bus was expected later in the afternoon.
Many of those taking part had travelled from the north to meet relatives before casting their ballots.
Community participation
Among the voters was Suzana, 95, the oldest resident of Kormakitis, who arrived in a wheelchair and voted in both the parliamentary elections and the election of the Maronite community representative.
She said she has voted in every election she can remember, describing participation as a duty she intends to continue.
Community members from Karpasia also voted, including a 79-year-old resident who arrived with her son. She said she has remained in the village since birth and has never missed an election, while estimating that only around a dozen resettled residents remain in the area.
Turnout and candidates
Maronite community leader Antonis Solomou said turnout among voters has remained consistently high across electoral cycles, with participation in some local elections reaching 97%.
He said about 400 people now live in Kormakitis, including returning residents, and confirmed that four Maronite candidates are standing across different parties in the parliamentary election.
Solomou added that efforts are continuing to encourage younger generations to return, and said proposals are being discussed for incentive schemes to support resettlement in the villages.
