MOI

Presidential Elections 2023 – The Chief Returning Officer replied to Press questions following his statement on voter turnout by 5 p.m.

The Chief Returning Officer, Dr Costas Constantinou, replied to Press questions following his statement on the voters’ turnout until 5 p.m.

In response to a journalist's question about what is provided for the event that there are still people outside polling stations at 6 p.m. when the ballot boxes close, the Chief Returning Officer reiterated that in order for the voting to be extended there must be a significant number of voters outside a polling station. "In this case, voting will be extended in the specific polling station and at the same time instructions will be given so that all other polling stations close", he clarified. The ballot boxes will remain closed until the end of the voting in the centre where the voting was extended, Dr Constantinou added.

He clarified that in the event that there are voters outside a polling station at 6 p.m., "the Presiding Officers' have instructions to ask these voters to enter the polling station, then close the door at 6 p.m., to give them time to vote, and in this case an extension will not apply".

The Returning Officer explained that "extending voting is a complicated process and will only apply if there is a significant number of voters queuing outside the station."

He called on the citizens who intend to vote, to do so in a timely manner, so as to avoid any inconvenience. He clarified that the instructions given to the Presiding Officers are to allow any people outside the polling station at 6 p.m. to enter the polling station to vote, and at 6 p.m. the door will close, so that everyone can exercise their right to vote".


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