redistribution of — Parliament has voted unanimously to approve the redistribution of parliamentary seats, with Paphos gaining a fifth seat while Nicosia’s representation will decrease from 20 to 19 MPs. This significant change is set to take effect in the 2026 parliamentary elections.
The amendment to the Election of Members of the House of Representatives Law is directly linked to the number of registered voters in each electoral district, with the latest data showing a total of 561,253 registered voters across Cyprus. This decision stems from the electoral roll that will be finalised on 2 October 2025, when the supplementary electoral roll is incorporated into the permanent register.
Redistribution of: Political Voices Weigh In
Interior Committee chairman Aristos Damianou addressed the implications of automatic voter registration, suggesting that Nicosia may not necessarily lose a seat, and could even gain one in future elections. “Under the automatic registration, Nicosia will not lose a seat and might even gain one,” he remarked, hinting at potential fluctuations in seat distribution with each electoral cycle.
Chrysanthos Savvides celebrated the decision as a pivotal moment for Paphos, stating, “This means we Paphians will have another strong voice in parliament.” His sentiments were echoed by other representatives, with Marinos Mousiouttas warning that the transition to automatic voter registration could lead to further shifts in parliamentary representation.
A Historic Shift for Paphos
Charalambos Pazaros described the day as historic for Paphos, highlighting how the legislation resolves the long-standing issue of compulsory single preference voting, now allowing voters a second choice. He asserted that the vote must be unanimous to reflect the collective agreement on this matter.
Andreas Themistokleous emphasised the importance of logical representation, stating, “No MP would oppose logic and justice, as the seat rightfully belongs to Paphos.” His remarks reflect the prevailing sentiment among supporters of the bill, who view this change as a rightful adjustment to the population dynamics.
The Numbers Behind the Decision
Demetris Demetriou argued that the shift in seat allocation is simply a matter of aligning parliamentary representation with population proportions. Meanwhile, Marinos Sizopoulos expressed concerns about the current number of MPs in Cyprus, suggesting that the parliament should increase its numbers to meet European obligations.
Onoufrios Koulla proposed a forward-thinking approach, suggesting that future seat allocations could depend on actual voter turnout, which could incentivise engagement in the electoral process. “This could provide an incentive for voters to participate in the process,” he stated, indicating a desire for dynamic representation based on civic involvement.
The Legislative Vote
The bill received overwhelming support, passing with 37 votes in favour. However, Parliament has postponed discussions on an amendment addressing issues with namesakes among candidates from the same party list, indicating ongoing legislative work ahead.
