Cypriots vote for new president in close contest
A record 14 candidates - but only two women - are standing, with winner needing 50% plus one vote
Nicosia, Cyprus - Cypriots voted on Sunday in a close presidential election between three front runners, with the electorate focused on corruption and the economy amid deadlock over the island’s long-standing division.
A record 14 candidates - but only two women - are standing, with the winner needing 50 per cent plus one vote to succeed two-term President Nicos Anastasiades.
Opinion polls predict a run-off on February 12, with no contender expected to secure an immediate outright majority.
Chief returning officer Costas Constantinou said turnout at 10am (0800 GMT) stood at 11.7 per cent and that voting was ‘running smoothly’.
Former foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides is the favourite. Backed by centrist parties, the 49-year-old commands a firm lead in opinion polls but not enough to shake off his rivals.
He is likely to face off in the second round against either Andreas Mavroyiannis, a 66-yearold technocrat backed by communist party AKEL, or Averof Neofytou, 61, leader of the ruling conservatives, DISY.
The last opinion poll by state broadcaster CYBC on January 27 had Christodoulides leading at 26.5 per cent, Neofytou at 22.5 per cent and Mavroyiannis 21 per cent.
Many analysts believe that Christodoulides, who served in both Anastasiades administrations, is still the favourite.
“All polls indicate that Christodoulides is going to the second round. I would be very much surprised if he didn’t reach it,” said Andreas Theophanous of the Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs.
“And if he goes to the second round, he is predicted to win,” he added.