How to vote, and what’s allowed for Sunday’s elections

The central elections service issued on Monday some guidelines for the parliamentary elections on May 30.

Polling stations will open at 7 in the morning and close at 6pm, with a lunch break between noon and 1pm. The same hours will apply for polling stations in Greece.

However, polling stations in the UK will operate between 8am and 4pm local time, with a half-hour lunch break at noon.

After receiving their ballot, voters will be required to enter voting booths to cast their vote, making sure they do not include any information that might reveal their identity.

At the same time, they must make sure that the ballot they receive is stamped with the official government stamp, and therefore valid.

In addition, voters are forbidden from using their mobile phones inside a polling station.

Only the presiding officer of each polling station will be allowed to use a mobile phone, and exclusively to communicate with other election officials elsewhere.

The presiding officer will have the power to remove from the polling station anyone using their mobile phone, with strict instructions to not rule out the arrest of these persons.

According to election law, it is illegal to set up public gatherings, rallies and debates directly or indirectly related to the elections on the weekend of May 29 and 30.

During the same time period, the law also prohibits broadcasting, publishing or advertising any new information or announcements directly or indirectly related to the elections, with or without payment, the only exception being news and announcements provided or approved by the chief returning officer.

Both offences are punishable by jail time, a fine of up to €5,000, or both.

Newspapers on May 29 can only publish news on pre-election rallies taking place on the previous day.

Those who are self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19, or are receiving treatment at a hospital and wish to vote, must register to vote at a mobile polling station by following this link until 6pm on Friday May 28. https://aps.elections.moi.gov.cy/

For any questions or help with registering, the public can reach the helpline set up the ministry of interior at 22867879 between 8am and 7pm.

To find out the location of their polling station, voters can either:

• Visit wtv.elections.moi.gov.cy or elections.gov.cy
• Text 1199 quoting wtv, their ID number and date of birth e.g. wtv 900500 01/06/1990
• Call 77772212