Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

At last, the Cyprus Government has passed a sensible bill which will allow Cypriot citizens the right to vote from their country of residence.

This is a brilliant move which can only mean that Cyprus will for the first time take advantage of its biggest weapon in the national struggle for justice.

Potentially, the Cypriot diaspora could decide the outcome of Cypriot elections, and I could understand that some may be a little upset at this since many expat Cypriots do not pay tax and contribute to the public purse, except for when they visit the island. However, the diaspora contributes in other potentially more significant ways. Many are actively promoting Cyprus to their respective countries of residence and are committed in assisting Cyprus to rid itself of the dreaded occupation.





House passes bill allowing overseas Cypriots to vote in countries of residence


Nicosia, Feb 6 (CNA) - The plenary of the House of Representatives unanimously passed an amended bill on Thursday in favour of overseas Cypriots to vote in their countries of residence.

According to the new bill, those entitled to vote will have to be registered in the special election lists by 2 April to be able to vote in the European Parliament elections that will take place in Cyprus on 6 June.

It is estimated that around 30-40 voting centers will operate in Greece, England, the US, Russia, Australia, Canada, France, Libya, Dubai and wherever there are at least 50 registered voters to operate a polling station. Those who will vote are mainly Cypriot students and those working temporarily overseas and possess voting books.

The bill also provides that those wishing to become candidates will have to pay 500 euros instead of 250 Cyprus pounds as was the currency before Eurozone accession while the amount of money which a candidate can use to fund his or her campaign was changed to 25 thousand euros.

The amended bill details what newspapers can publish on the day prior to the elections and day of voting and any violations will be subject to one year imprisonment and/or a fine of up to 5000 euro.

CNA/NMA/EC/GCH 2009
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

[Get Real!]

That's great news for the GC diaspora...

Australia............74,000
New Zealand........1,000
USA...................30,000
Canada..............22,000
Great Britain.....270,000
Greece...............45,000
South Africa........45,000
Rest of America.....5,000

TOTAL…………492,000

(If you click on each continent on the world map (under Diaspora Map) found on the left of that page)

http://www.orc.gov.cy/orc/orc.nsf/Main?OpenFrameSet

[bill cobbett]

...but would you have to be a registered, official CY citizen with say a CY ID card to take part in this or is it sufficient to be able to show the usual CY ancestry?

[DT.]

...but would you have to be a registered, official CY citizen with say a CY ID card to take part in this or is it sufficient to be able to show the usual CY ancestry?

You have to a Citizen of the Republic of Cyprus with a valid electoral registration book.

I'm not too crazy about this. People who have no clue of Cyprus and its politics should not be voting. There should be a minimum time period you need to live on the island before you are allowed to vote.

[Paphitis]

...but would you have to be a registered, official CY citizen with say a CY ID card to take part in this or is it sufficient to be able to show the usual CY ancestry?

I would say that only Cypriot citizens would be allowed to vote provided they have registered with the electoral commission and have obtained a voter card.

[Paphitis]

...but would you have to be a registered, official CY citizen with say a CY ID card to take part in this or is it sufficient to be able to show the usual CY ancestry?

You have to a Citizen of the Republic of Cyprus with a valid electoral registration book.

I'm not too crazy about this. People who have no clue of Cyprus and its politics should not be voting. There should be a minimum time period you need to live on the island before you are allowed to vote.

Those of us that have actually bothered obtaining Cypriot citizenship have only done so because of our patriotism to Cyprus and also have a good understanding of Cypriot politics, probably more so than most.

The Cyprus Diaspora does not take Cyprus for granted like most Cypriots do. The alternative is for Cyprus to turn its back on the Cypriot Diaspora for another 34 years, and then you will find that there will be none as the 3rd and 4th generation would be assimilated. It is not as if Cyprus offers anything else over and above what expat Cypriots find in their respective countries.

Some Cypriots living in the diaspora should have this right because they spat blood for Cyprus and left the island through no choice of their own. Think about that very carefully..

[DT.]

...but would you have to be a registered, official CY citizen with say a CY ID card to take part in this or is it sufficient to be able to show the usual CY ancestry?

You have to a Citizen of the Republic of Cyprus with a valid electoral registration book.

I'm not too crazy about this. People who have no clue of Cyprus and its politics should not be voting. There should be a minimum time period you need to live on the island before you are allowed to vote.

Those of us that have actually bothered obtaining Cypriot citizenship have only done so because of our patriotism to Cyprus and also have a good understanding of Cypriot politics, probably more so than most.

The Cyprus Diaspora does not take Cyprus for granted like most Cypriots do. The alternative is for Cyprus to turn its back on the Cypriot Diaspora for another 34 years, and then you will find that there will be none as the 3rd and 4th generation would be assimilated. It is not as if Cyprus offers anything else over and above what expat Cypriots find in their respective countries.

Some Cypriots living in the diaspora should have this right because they spat blood for Cyprus and left the island through no choice of their own. Think about that very carefully..

WHat does that have to do with voting for the government in Cyprus? They're not exactly going to be governed by it

[Oracle]

Anything that encourages an active role in the future of the RoC can only be a good thing. It is a feedback for the external lobby groups at least.

Besides, leaving aside the daily grime of politics, and seeing the bigger picture as to which party is more high profile and focused on solving the Cyprus Problem (of burning ambition to the Diaspora) can be just as effective from a distance ....

[DT.]

Anything that encourages an active role in the future of the RoC can only be a good thing. It is a feedback for the external lobby groups at least.

Besides, leaving aside the daily grime of politics, and seeing the bigger picture as to which party is more high profile and focused on solving the Cyprus Problem (of burning ambition to the Diaspora) can be just as effective from a distance ....

The diaspora needs to stick to lobbying their own governments and to finally stop selling out their votes on the same promises every George, Bill or Cameron makes.

There is a difference with being a patriot and doing everything for your country within the forum of the diaspora organisations and another thing knowing the personalities and agendas of the people I'm voting for in Cyprus.

Why the hell should someone from Toronto have a say on whether the country will spend 800 million Euros on a 12 minute route from Polis to Paphos!!!

[Paphitis]

...but would you have to be a registered, official CY citizen with say a CY ID card to take part in this or is it sufficient to be able to show the usual CY ancestry?

You have to a Citizen of the Republic of Cyprus with a valid electoral registration book.

I'm not too crazy about this. People who have no clue of Cyprus and its politics should not be voting. There should be a minimum time period you need to live on the island before you are allowed to vote.

Those of us that have actually bothered obtaining Cypriot citizenship have only done so because of our patriotism to Cyprus and also have a good understanding of Cypriot politics, probably more so than most.

The Cyprus Diaspora does not take Cyprus for granted like most Cypriots do. The alternative is for Cyprus to turn its back on the Cypriot Diaspora for another 34 years, and then you will find that there will be none as the 3rd and 4th generation would be assimilated. It is not as if Cyprus offers anything else over and above what expat Cypriots find in their respective countries.

Some Cypriots living in the diaspora should have this right because they spat blood for Cyprus and left the island through no choice of their own. Think about that very carefully..

WHat does that have to do with voting for the government in Cyprus? They're not exactly going to be governed by it

That is a ridiculous analogy because most industrialized first world countries actually permit their citizens to vote from anywhere in the world.

Australia has over 1 million expats in London alone, and they have voting rights as Australian citizens. Greek expats also have the right to vote.

If you are a citizen of a country, then you should have a voice. It will also assist Cyprus in maintaining a loyal diaspora, as any continued neglect will only destroy it once and for all.

Why is it that Turkish settlers had a right to determine the island's future during the Annan Plan referendum and Cypriot refugees living abroad couldn't.