Serbian voters turn out in large numbers at Nicosia embassy for parliamentary election

Nicosia, Cyprus. Large numbers of Serbian citizens came to Serbia’s embassy in Nicosia on Sunday for the parliamentary election, according to a voter who said participation exceeded anything he had seen in earlier years.

Registrations rise sharply

Figures supplied by an informal group drawn from the Serbian community put registrations for Sunday’s vote in Nicosia at 523. That compared with 134 in December 2023, an increase of approximately 290 per cent.

The voter, a member of Cyprus’s Serbian community who spoke anonymously to the Cyprus Mail, said a substantial share of those registered in Cyprus were tourists, rather than permanent residents, unlike in earlier elections.

Voter describes strong participation and calm queue

The man said he arrived with his family to find roughly 100 people waiting to vote. Having participated in earlier Serbian elections, he was struck by the turnout, especially among people who had previously displayed little political interest.

He regarded the election as having historic significance and importance, saying that even diaspora members usually seen as politically disengaged had taken the trouble to participate.

Despite the queue’s size, he described a relaxed, cheerful mood, with people treating each other considerately. Older voters and families accompanied by small children were given priority so they could vote sooner, he said.

He commended the embassy staff for their professionalism and reported that his visit passed without tension or disruption.