Elections for new community council members for two Akamas villages will be held at the end of May, Paphos District Officer Mary Lambrou announced on Thursday.

The election decision comes after the resignation of previous council members in protest against the proposed state restructuring of municipal boundaries in the Laona region.

After the resignation of Kritou Terra and Neo Chorio leaders and members, a meeting was held between Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou and the former mayor, Dervis Charalambous.

The minister had told the community leaders not to expect reform decisions to be reconsidered as this would would raise a furore among other communities displeased with the new municipal boundaries carved up in parliament in March.

The minister told the communities that “small adjustments” could be made over the course of the reform, Lambrou relayed to the Cyprus News Association (CNA).

According to the district officer, in Kritou Terra one council member remained, however, in Neo Chorio the council resigned unanimously.

Runners-up in Neo Chorio refused to accept an appointment so in consultation with the ministry of the interior they will proceed to elections for new members on May 28, Lambrou said.

The district officer told CNA that she had tried to convince those who had resigned to return to their duties as their resignation created difficulties in serving their communities, and pointed out they would participate as deputy mayors in the new municipality, however, this fell on deaf ears.

Charalambous has previously stood on principle, maintaining that the redrafting of municipalities was a politically motivated decision for the benefit of certain interests, not the area’s residents.