Cyprus: Presidential election headed to a run-off

The Cypriot presidential elections is headed to a run-off Sunday after former foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides placed first in the first round, followed by the left's choice, career diplomat Andreas Mavroyiannis. 

Christodoulidis received 32% of the vote in the first round, with Mavroyiannis of the leftist AKEL party receiving 29.6%.

Any candidate needed more than 50% of the vote to win outright. A run-off will take place in one week, on February 12.

Three frontrunners, two spots in the runoff

Although there are a record 14 candidates, there were only two women contesting the elections.

The forerunners in the elections prior to voting were former Foreign Minister Nikos Christodouldes, right-leaning Democratic Rally (DISY) party leader Averof Neophytou, and career diplomat Andreas Mavroyiannis, backed by the leftist Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL).

Christodoulides was regarded as the favorite, with exit polls reflecting as much.

Mavroyiannis was expected to receive around 29.6% of the vote. 

Meanwhile, Neophytou's position atop the DISY might be at risk as he missed out on the runoff with around 26% support in a close third. 

"All polls indicate that Christodoulides is going to the second round. I would be very much surprised if he didn't reach it," said Andreas Theophanous of the Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs. "And if he goes to the second round, he is predicted to win. Something radical has to happen to change this."

All three main contenders have been close associates of current President Nicos Anastasiades.

How does voting in Cyprus work?

Voting in the Cyprus presidential elections began on Sunday as the second term of incumbent conservative President Nicos Anastasiades comes to an end.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time (0500 GMT/UTC) on Sunday with voting ending at 6 p.m.

Anastasiades cannot run for a third term.

Corruption, economy top poll issues

Cyprus was split as a result of a Greek military coup in 1974 and following Turkish military involvement.

The voting on Sunday is only being held in the Greek Cypriot part of the island, also the region where EU law and regulations apply.

The issue of the decades-old division seems to have lost its hold over the polls as the voters now seem to be more concerned about the economy and corruption, especially after the cash-for-passports scandal.

"Corruption is at the core of the discussion, the economy and daily life. The Cyprus problem is a secondary issue," Giorgos Kentas, associate professor of international politics and governance at the University of Nicosia, told the AFP news agency.

ss, ar/msh (AFP, Reuters, dpa)