Cyprus’s Interior Ministry and Law Office are proactively examining at least three prospective candidates over whether they meet the constitutional requirements to stand in the May 24 parliamentary elections, Philenews understands.
The cases under review involve individuals who have publicly announced their intention to run for ELAM, Volt and Direct Democracy. The examination centres on Article 64 of the Constitution and focuses specifically on whether any prior convictions qualify as dishonourable offences or offences of moral turpitude — the category of conviction that would bar a candidate from standing.
Official sources stressed that the law does not require a clean criminal record. The bar on candidacy applies only to specific categories of offence. Crucially, a pending prosecution or current charge does not strip a person of the right to stand — only a final conviction can do so.
Nominations open on Wednesday, May 6, between 09:00 and 12:30. Each candidate must submit a signed declaration confirming they meet all eligibility requirements. Official candidates will exist only once that process is complete.
Eligibility criteria
Under Article 64 of the Constitution, a candidate for the House of Representatives must be a citizen of the Republic, be at least 21 years old, have no final conviction for a dishonourable offence or an offence of moral turpitude and have not been stripped of electoral rights for an electoral offence, and must not suffer from a mental illness rendering them unfit for the role.
Objections and process
Once the nominations window closes, any citizen who believes a candidate does not meet the eligibility requirements may lodge an objection within 24 hours with the relevant Electoral Commissioner. Objections are examined and answered under an expedited procedure.
Candidates may stand either on party lists, which require a minimum of two candidates per district and cannot exceed the number of seats in that district, or as independent candidates.
The Law Office’s opinion on the grey areas surrounding certain candidacies is awaited and will determine the final composition of the ballot papers for the May 24 elections.