Presidential Election, 28 January and 4 February 2018

Following an official invitation to observe the presidential election in Cyprus scheduled for 28 January 2018, based on the finding and conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission deployed from 21 to 23 November 2017, and in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE/ODIHR has deployed an Election Assessment Mission (EAM) for this election.

The OSCE/ODIHR EAM, headed by Ms. Urszula Gacek, began its work in Cyprus on 18 January. The EAM included six international staff, drawn from six OSCE participating States. The mission assessed electoral process in terms of its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as national legislation. Observers will, in particular, look into issues related to the implementation of legislation pertaining to the campaign, campaign finance and media regulations.

In line with OSCE/ODIHR methodology, the OSCE/ODIHR EAM did not carry out systematic or comprehensive observation of the voting, counting and tabulation on election day. Mission members, however, visited a small number of polling stations on election day.

A final report will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the electoral process.

Previous Elections

The OSCE/ODIHR has previously assessed the 2011 and 2001 parliamentary elections in Cyprus.