CYPRUS

LAST ELECTIONS

Also available: Archive of past election results for this chamber

Chamber:

Vouli Antiprosopon

Dates of election / renewal (from/to):

21 May 2006

Purpose of elections:

Elections were held for the 56 members of the House of Representatives representing the Greek-Cypriot community on the normal expiry of their term of office.

Background and outcome of elections:

The first parliamentary elections since the rejection of the United Nations-endorsed reunification plan were held on 21 May 2006. Elections took place for the 56 seats allocated to the Greek Cypriot community in the House of Representatives. The Turkish Cypriot community withdrew from the institutions of central government in 1963, and its 24 seats remain vacant. At the April 2004 referendum, 75.8 per cent of Greek Cypriots rejected the reunification plan, while 64.9 per cent of Turkish Cypriots supported it.

In the last elections held in 2001, the communist Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL) won 20 of the 56 seats and its main coalition partner, the centrist Democratic Party (DIKO), took nine. The right-wing opposition, Democratic Rally (DISY), took 19 seats.

The country's reunification remained the main issue in the 2006 elections. Despite differences with the United Nations' plan, all political parties said they were ready for new talks on reunification.

In all, 10 political parties and groups and 487 candidates contested the 2006 elections, including one Turkish Cypriot candidate representing the left-wing United Democrats (EDI). For the first time since 1963, Turkish Cypriots living in the Greek-controlled part of the country were allowed to vote and stand for election. A total of 500,000 people registered to vote, of whom 270 were Turkish Cypriots. In all, 89 per cent of registered voters turned out at the polls, down by a mere 1.5 per cent compared to the last elections.

The AKEL lost two seats, down to 18, while DIKO obtained two more seats, winning 11. The main opposition, DISY, lost one seat, and now has as many representatives as AKEL. In all, the ruling forces, comprising AKEL, DIKO, the Movement of Social Democrats (EDEK), the newly-established European Party (EK), and the Ecologists - Environmentalists Movement, took 38 of the 56 seats. EDI failed to reach the minimum 1.8 per cent threshold required to win a parliamentary seat.

The newly-elected House of Representatives held its first session on 1 June 2006 and re-elected Mr. Demetris Christofias of AKEL as its Speaker.

STATISTICS


Round no 1 (21 May 2006): Election results
Number of registered electors		501'024
Voters		445'915 (89%)
Blank or invalid ballot papers		24'828
Valid votes		421'087



Round no 1: Distribution of votes

Political Group	Candidates	Votes	%	Gain/Loss %
Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL)		131'066	31.13	-3.58
Democratic Rally (DISY)		127'776	30.34	-3.65
Democratic Party (DIKO)		75'458	17.92	3.08
Movement of Social Democrats (EDEK)		37'533	8.91	2.40
European Party (EK)		24'196	5.75
Ecologists - Environmentalists Movement		8'193	1.95	-0.03


Round no 1: Distribution of seats

Political Group	Total	Gain/Loss
Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL)	18	-2
Democratic Rally (DISY)	18	-1
Democratic Party (DIKO)	11	2
Movement of Social Democrats (EDEK)	5	1
European Party (EK)	3
Ecologists - Environmentalists Movement	1	0

Comments:

Source: http://www.vouleftikes2006.gov.cy/index.aspx?ci=en-GB

Note on the "Distribution of seats according to sex":
The percentage below is based on the statutory number of 80.
The 2006 elections were held for the 56 members of the House of Representatives elected by the Greek-Cypriot community, of whom eight were women, or 14.29%.
Inter-Parliamentary Group of Cyprus (02.06.2006)

Distribution of seats according to sex:

Men:

Women:

Percent of women:

10.00

Distribution of seats according to age:


31 to 40 years	2
41 to 50 years	30
51 to 60 years	21
61 to 70 years	3

Distribution of seats according to profession:

Legal professions		17
Medical professions (doctors, dentists, nurses)		8
Civil/public servants/administrators (including social/development workers)		6
Business/trade/industry employees, including executives		5
Economists		5
Scientists		4
Educators		2
Architects		2
Engineers/PC experts		2
Liberal professions (including artists, authors) and sports professionals		2
Media-related professions (journalists/publishers)		2
Others		1

Also available: Archive of past election results for this chamber

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