Turnout at elections in the north reaches 58 per cent (updated)

As expected, voter turnout in the north for ‘parliamentary’ elections on Sunday was very low, with only 58.23 per cent of those eligible taking part by the time polling stations closed.

By 11am only 11.6 per cent to 16.6 per cent depending on region had turned out.

The police announced they had arrested four people for taking photos of their vote before casting it.

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar urged people to go out and vote after he went to the polling station himself at around noon.

He said that even though Covid was expected to contribute towards a low turn out the elections were important and people should cast their vote.

“God willing, turnout will be good,” he said.

Tatar repeated his position that the Turkish Cypriots have their own state and their own sovereignty to rule it. He wished for a stable ‘government’ to carry out serious reform.

Earlier in the morning president of the UBP party, which is expected to come out victorious on Sunday, Fayez Sucuoglou said the ‘coountry’ needed political stability.

Turkish Cypriot broadcaster Bayrak said that by 6pm when voting closed 58.23 per cent had voted.

Some results are expected to be announced at around 11pm while a full picture might not be available for 24 hours.