Electoral officials investigate reports of data privacy violations during elections

During the election day, the Office of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection, led by Maria Christofidou, conducted supervisory checks at 400 polling stations across Cyprus, including Paphos for the first time. While Commissioner Christofidou noted that complaints are currently fewer than those during the 2021 legislative elections, she is investigating reports regarding unsolicited SMS and instant messages sent by candidates. Sources differ on the legality and volume of these messages, with some reports claiming early violations of electoral law, while the Commissioner clarifies that the investigation will determine if consent was obtained. By noon, voter turnout reached 32.3%, a significant increase compared to 26% at the same time in 2021. Polling stations across the Republic of Cyprus, as well as in Athens and Thessaloniki, temporarily closed at 12:00 p.m. and resumed at 1:00 p.m. Electoral Commissioner Elikos Ilia confirmed that reports regarding both SMS messages and social media posts are being examined in cooperation with the Data Protection Commissioner. Overall, authorities describe the election process as smooth, noting general compliance with guidelines regarding voter identification.