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Voting Rights for Non-Cypriot EU Residents 

Overview

With Cyprus’s accession to the EU, non-Cypriot EU nationals resident in Cyprus have the right to stand as candidates in municipal elections and to vote to elect Mayors, Community Leaders and Local Council Members (ref. Council Directive 94/80/EC, 19/12.94). 

In addition to voting in local elections, all EU nationals resident in Cyprus also have the right to vote in European Parliamentary elections (next one in 2009). 

Resident means both ‘Temporary Resident’ or ‘Permanent Resident’.

Note: UK nationals registering to vote in Cyprus do not give up their rights to vote in UK elections.  Other nationalities may have their own rules which they can easily check with their Government representatives in Cyprus.

   How to register to vote:

     1.    If you do not yet have a Cyprus Identity card.

To apply for a Cyprus ID card, you need a “Temporary Residence Permit” from Immigration.  Because of delays in issuing this document, if you have applied to immigration but not received your papers yet, you may take your Immigration Dept. receipt to the District Office and present this to apply for a Cyprus ID card.

The ID application form is available at District Offices.       

On applying for a Cyprus ID card, you will need a Cyprus residence permit (or the Immigration Dept. receipt), proof of birthplace (passport), and a recent photograph which can be taken by digital camera at most District Offices.  To issue a Cyprus ID card may take several weeks.  The fee is €8.54. 

 2.   If you already have a Cyprus Identity card.

Complete and submit the bilingual Greek/English electoral registration form, entitled “Application for Registration in the Special Electoral List for European Community Electors”, available at all District Offices in Cyprus. 

On this form, you declare your nationality, address and date when you took up residence in Cyprus or in an EU country (must be at least six months). You need to show your Cyprus ID card and you will be given a receipt for registering on the electoral list. 

An Election Book will be later sent to you, care of the Mukhtar in your community.  You will need to pick this up personally and this book must be presented when you vote.   

 

Note:  Apply for both the ID card and Electoral Registration at your local District Offices, open from 8am to 1pm.