More than 160,094 Cypriot citizens aged 18 and over have not yet registered on the electoral roll for the upcoming 2026 parliamentary elections, the Ministry of Interior’s Director General, Ellikos Elia, announced on Friday following a meeting with political party representatives.
The issue is particularly acute among younger voters, with the rate of unregistered citizens in the 18-to-25 age group standing at 52.06 per cent.
Elia noted that overall, of the citizens aged 18 to 35 eligible to vote, 33.29 per cent (54,994 individuals) are currently not registered.
Key dates
Elia provided the official timeline for the 2026 Parliamentary Elections:
- 2 April 2026: Last day for voter registration on the electoral roll.
- 23 April 2026: Expected date for the House of Representatives to vote on its early dissolution.
- 24 April 2026: Ministerial decree for the election will be published in the Official Gazette.
- 6 May 2026 (Wednesday): Deadline for the submission of candidacies.
- 24 May 2026 (Sunday): Election Day.
The Director General confirmed that all citizens of the Republic aged 18 and over who have been ordinarily resident in Cyprus for the past six months have the right to vote. Turkish Cypriots holding a Republic of Cyprus identity card and residing in the government-controlled areas also have the right to register.
Ballot design and new regulations
The meeting with party representatives focused on key topics, including the electoral legal framework, voting rights, and logistical issues such as the operation of overseas polling stations.
- Dual-Sided Ballot: Due to the large number of registered political parties—currently 25, with a potential for up to 28—the ballot paper may be printed on both sides to accommodate the anticipated number of electoral combinations. The secrecy of the vote will be ensured by the folding of the ballot paper, which will have no defined front or back side.
- Constituency Seats: A recent legislative amendment will transfer one parliamentary seat from the Nicosia constituency to the Paphos constituency, based on updated population data.
- EU Regulation: Particular emphasis was placed on the new European Regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising, which took effect on 10 October 2025. This regulation aims to protect democracy and enhance transparency in electoral procedures.
Future electoral changes delayed
Elia reminded reporters that proposed legislative amendments concerning the automatic registration of voters, lowering the voting age to 17, and accepting driving licences as a form of voter identification will not be applied to the 2026 elections. These changes, passed by the House of Representatives, will take effect from 1 July 2027 and will be implemented in the 2028 Presidential Elections.
To address the high rate of unregistered voters, the Ministry of Interior will send letters to those turning 18 by Election Day and will organise two information campaigns in cooperation with the Press and Information Office, first to encourage registration and then to encourage voter participation.
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