Cypriot citizens are heading to the polls today to elect the 56 members of the House of Representatives in the parliamentary elections.
The total number of registered voters stands at 568,587.
The figure includes 859 Turkish Cypriots holding Republic of Cyprus identity cards and residing in the government-controlled areas.
As part of the parliamentary elections and the election of the representative of the Maronite Religious Group, a total of 1,217 polling stations will operate across Cyprus.
Voting is taking place across all electoral districts as parties compete for representation in the new parliament.
A total of 753 candidates are standing for election. Those elected will serve five-year terms which will expire in 2031.
This live article is being continuously updated with the latest election developments, turnout figures, statements and results throughout the day.
18:57 – Disy makes gains as results continue to come in
As of 6.55pm, Disy has taken a commanding lead, with the results beginning to take shape. With 83 of 1,283 ballot boxes opened so far, the results are as follows:
- Disy – 27.4%
- Akel – 20.6%
- Elam – 12.2%
- Diko – 11.2%
- Alma – 5.2%
- Direct Democracy Cyprus – 4.6%
- Edek – 4.6%
- Hunters’ Movement – 4.1%
- Dipa- 3.6%
- Volt – 2.5%
- Ecologists’ Movement- 1.9%
18:55 – Parties entering parliament to be announced at 20.30
Chief returning officer Elikkos Ilias said parties securing representation in the new parliament are expected to be known by around 8.30pm on Sunday.
Following confirmation of the parties entering the House, the counting of preference crosses for individual candidates will begin and is expected to take a further two to three hours before final allocations are completed by around midnight.
18:30 – Early results and estimates
As of 6.30pm, with the first few results trickling in, Akel hold a small lead. With eight of 1,283 ballot boxes opened so far, the results are as follows:
- Akel – 31.7%
- Disy – 21.7%
- Elam – 11.4%
- Diko – 10.5%
- Alma – 5.3%
- Direct Democracy Cyprus – 4.3%
- Dipa – 3.7%
- Hunters’ Movement – 3.7%
- Edek – 3%
- Ecologists’ Movement – 1.8%
- Volt – 1%
- DEK – 0.9%
- Agronomos – 0.5%
- Sikou Pano! – 0.2%
18:20 – Voter turnout 64.4%
Voter turnout in the parliamentary elections reached 66.4 per cent by the close of polls on Sunday, marking an increase compared with the 63.9 per cent recorded in the 2021 parliamentary elections.
The figure remains below participation levels seen during the 2023 presidential elections, when turnout reached 72 per cent, but is significantly higher than the 57.6 per cent recorded in the 2024 elections.
The final turnout is also close to the 66.7 per cent participation recorded in the 2016 parliamentary elections.
18:15 – Exit Polls
18:00 – Polls Closed
The polls have now closed. What follows is the counting of the votes, exit polls, early estimates, and final results.
16:30 – How parliamentary seats are allocated after the vote
The Ministry of Interior has outlined the seat allocation system used in the 2026 parliamentary elections in Cyprus, detailing how parliamentary seats are distributed through three separate stages.
Learn more about the allocation system here.
15:25 – Voter turnout reaches 49.8% by 3 pm, higher than 2021
Voter turnout in Cyprus reached 49.8% by 3 pm on Sunday, according to official data released during the ongoing parliamentary elections.
A total of 285,502 citizens had voted by 3 pm, representing nearly half of all eligible voters in the current electoral roll.
Read more here.
15:10 – Complaints over candidates sending messages to voters
Concerns over election data protection are being examined by Cyprus authorities after voters reportedly received campaign messages via SMS and messaging applications, including Viber, WhatsApp and Messenger.
Commissioner for Personal Data Protection Maria Christodoulou said that although the 48-hour pre-election restriction law does not explicitly cover such messages, complaints have already been submitted to her office.
So far, authorities have reported compliance with the instructions.
Officials confirmed that monitoring will continue throughout election day as part of broader election data protection oversight.
13:44 – Fidias Panayiotou casts vote
President of the Direct Democracy movement Fidias Panayiotou cast his vote on Sunday afternoon, expressing optimism about the election outcome.
“We are happy. Best of luck to all parties. Today we will turn a page in the future of democracy in Cyprus,” Panayiotou said after voting.
13:00 – Polls reopened
The polls have reopened and will remain open until 18:00.
12:00 – Voter turnout rises to 32.3%
Voter turnout across Cyprus reached 32.3 per cent by 12:00 p.m., according to the Chief Returning Officer.
At the same point during the 2021 parliamentary elections, turnout stood at 26 per cent of registered voters.
12:00 – Polls closed for lunch
Polls have closed for a 1 hour lunch break. Voting will resume at 13:00.
11:45 – ALMA president Odysseas Michaelides cast his vote
Michaelides stated, “Today, the citizens will speak. The voice of the people is as strong as the wrath of God”.
11.30 – Andromachi Sophocleous from VOLT cast her vote
Andromachi stated that “hope is created through action”.
11:20 – Ecologists’ president Stavros Papadouris voted
President of the Movement of Ecologists–Citizens’ Cooperation, Stavros Papadouris, said democracy is being celebrated today and called on people to exercise their right to vote. He also expressed hope that the next election would include horizontal voting.
10:55 – EDEK president Nikos Anastasiou casts vote
Anastasiou said today belongs to the people, stressing that voters have the power to shape the future of the country. He called on citizens to go out and vote, urging them to stop criticising from the comfort of their sofas.
10:50 – ELAM president Christos Christou casts his vote
Christou stated that today is the day citizens have the final say, adding that the party is awaiting the people’s verdict, which would determine the strength of each political force. He also said ELAM is ready to assume whatever responsibilities the Cypriot people entrust them.
10:40 – DISY president Annita Demetriou casts vote
“A day of democracy, hope and optimism. Today’s result will show how our Parliament will move forward in addressing all these difficult issues at a critical juncture. We remain optimistic about the stability, responsibility, hope and optimism that need to prevail. I wish everyone the best of luck.”
10:20 – President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides cast his vote
President Nikos Christodoulides cast his vote on Sunday morning, calling on citizens to participate actively in the parliamentary elections.
In statements after voting, the president described Election Day as an important moment for democracy and stressed the importance of civic participation and responsibility.
10:15 – Voter turnout at 12.8%
Voter turnout across Cyprus reached 12.8 per cent by 10:00 a.m.
Compared with the same time during the 2021 parliamentary elections, turnout is up by 2.5 percentage points, while compared with the 2024 elections it is down by 1.1 percentage points.
Read more here.
09:30 – Former president Nicos Anastasiades casts vote
Former President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades cast his vote in Limassol, expressing hope that the spirit of democracy and unity would continue after election day.
“As is often said, I hope the celebration remains the next day as well and that we do not allow denial to prevail instead of positions,” Anastasiades said after voting.
09:20 – DIKO president Nikolas Papadopoulos cast his vote
DIKO president Nikolas Papadopoulos cast his vote on Sunday morning, saying the elections concern “the future of our children and the future of our homeland”.
Papadopoulos called on citizens to participate in the electoral process and described the vote as important for the country’s future direction.
09:00- AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou cast his vote
AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou cast his vote in Nicosia on Sunday morning.
In statements after voting, Stefanou called on citizens to participate in the electoral process “with the occupied areas in mind”, stressing the importance of the elections for the country’s future.
08:45 – DIPA president Marios Karoyian casts vote
DIPA president Marios Karoyian cast his vote on Sunday morning, saying the country’s challenges require realistic solutions rather than “wishful thinking”.
Karoyian stressed the importance of responsible political choices and voter participation in the parliamentary elections.
07:00 – Polls open across Cyprus
Polling stations across Cyprus opened at 7:00 a.m. as voters head to the polls to elect the 56 members of the House of Representatives.
A total of 568,587 voters are registered for the parliamentary elections, with 1,217 polling stations operating islandwide.
Voting will continue until 6:00 p.m., with a one-hour break between noon and 1:00 p.m.
