Europe Asia News

In the 9th presidential election of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), a total of seven candidates are competing, five of whom are independents.

According to the election calendar, which began on August 24, campaigning ended yesterday at 18:00.

To be elected president, a candidate must receive an absolute majority of valid votes. If no candidate achieves this, a second round will be held between the two candidates with the most votes on Sunday, October 26.

According to the Constitution, a candidate for president must be eligible to be elected as a member of parliament, have higher education, be at least 35 years old, be born to Turkish parents, be a citizen of the TRNC, and have resided permanently in Cyprus for at least five years.

Until 19:00 today, radio, television, and all media outlets are prohibited from broadcasting news, forecasts, or comments related to the election or its results.

A total of 218,313 registered voters can cast their votes at 777 polling stations across the country.

Today’s presidential election will be the 11th head of state election for the Turkish Cypriot people since 1974.

After the 1974 Peace Operation, the Turkish Cypriot people held their first head of state election on June 20, 1976. Over 45 years, they have voted twice for the president of the Turkish Federated State of Cyprus and eight times for the president of the TRNC. The October 19 election will mark the 9th presidential election in TRNC’s political history.

In the TRNC, presidential and parliamentary elections are held every five years, while local elections take place every four years.