Cyprus parliament to elect president via new electronic voting system

The House of Representatives of Cyprus is set to hold its first plenary session under a new composition, marking the debut of an electronic voting system for the election of the parliamentary president. Zacharias Koulias, the eldest member of the House, chaired a preparatory meeting with parliamentary parties on Wednesday to outline the new procedures. Under the revised regulations, the 56 members of parliament will be announced individually, take their oath, and then proceed to the vote. A candidate must secure 29 votes to be elected in the first round; if no candidate achieves this threshold, a runoff between the two leading contenders will occur. In the event of a tie during the second round, a lot-drawing process conducted by the presiding officer will determine the outcome. Although the new regulations also provide for the election of a deputy president and a deputy to the deputy, these specific positions will not be voted upon during the upcoming session.