Legislative Framework

Cyprus

LF001

Question:	What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):	a. Part of Constitution b. Separate legislation
Comments:	While general guidelines related to elections are stated in the Constitution of Cyprus, some of the laws and regulations specific to each election are: the Law on the Election of members of the Chamber of Representatives (Law 72/1979); the Municipalities Law of 1985 (Law 111/85), the Communities’ Law of 1999 (Law 86(I)/1999) and the Law of the Municipalities and the Community Councils of 2004 (Law 98(I)/2004), that regulate local and regional elections; the Election of the Members of the European Parliament Law of 2004 (Law 10(I)/2004); and, the Law on Referendums of 1989 (Law 206/89).
Source:	Constitution: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/CY/cyprus-constitution-1960/ (2016). --unsure if this is the most recent Constitution--below has amendments through 2013, though amendments have been made in 2016. A version is not publicly available.-- https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Cyprus_2013?lang=en Nicoletta Charalambidou, Access to Electoral Rights. Cyprus, European University Institute, Italy, 2013: http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1325-Cyprus-FRACIT%20.pdf (2016); Evaluation Report on Cyprus on Transparency of Party Funding (2011): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/CY/cyprus-evaluation-report-on-cyprus-on-transparency/ (2016).
Verified:	2024/10/25

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LF003

Question:	The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):	a. National elections c. Local elections d. Referendums e. Other
Comments:	Elections to the European Parliament.
Source:	Nicoletta Charalambidou, Access to Electoral Rights. Cyprus, European University Institute, Italy, 2013: http://eudo-citizenship.eu/admin/?p=file&appl=countryProfiles&f=1325-Cyprus-FRACIT%20.pdf (2016); Evaluation Report on Cyprus on Transparency of Party Funding (2011): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/CY/cyprus-evaluation-report-on-cyprus-on-transparency/ (2016).
Verified:	2024/10/25

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LF004

Question:	Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):	a. Voting is voluntary
Comments:	Previously, voting was compulsory according to Electoral law and Constitution. Seen quoted below. This law was abolished May 31, 2017. It had not been enforced for over twenty years. Voter turnout for Presidential elections in 2018 was 81% for 2013 Presidential elections and is estimated at 71% for this year. (previous law): Voting is compulsory. Unjustified failure to vote is punishable with a fine or imprisonment. Before replacement of the domestic currency for the euro in 2008, the fine imposed by the court may not exceed 500 cypriot pounds (CYP).
Source:	http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/05/31/government-abolishes-compulsory-voting/ http://www.electionguide.org/countries/id/57/ Constitution, Art. 31: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/CY/cyprus-constitution-1960/ (2016); Electoral Law 72 of 1979 as amended, Art. 7(2): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/CY/cyprus-electoral-law-72-1979-greek-version/ (2016);
Verified:	2024/10/25

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LF007

Question:	What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):	a. Judiciary
Comments:	OSCE: Complaints related to the general administration of the election and voter registration are filed with DROs. Election day complaints can be filed with and considered by presiding officers at polling stations, and most of them are usually submitted by candidate agents. Lower-level election administration decisions can be appealed to the GRO and then to the Supreme Court, which serves as an electoral court during the electoral period and takes decisions on the validity of elections and considers complaints on candidate registration. The Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction to act as an electoral dispute body.
Source:	Presidential Election, 28 January 2018 OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission Report https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/cyprus/363771?download=true Electoral Law 72 of 1979 as amended, Art. 57 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/CY/cyprus-electoral-law-72-1979-greek-version/ (2016); Official website of the Supreme Court: http://www.supremecourt.gov.cy/judicial/sc.nsf/DMLScourt_gr/DMLScourt_gr?OpenDocument (2016).
Verified:	2024/10/25

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