Currently, Cyprus does not allow for postal voting for Cypriots in Cyprus unable to visit a polling station or those visiting or living abroad. This restricts Cypriot democracy significantly, because it does not allow for the will of people who are unable to vote to do so, or forces them to venture to a polling station although they might be disabled or live thousands of miles away in far-flung places overseas.
Dozens of countries throughout the world allow for postal voting for citizens who live both in those countries and abroad. Many countries, such as the UK, Australia and Canada, have had some form of postal voting for over 100 years. Numerous countries in the EU have some form of postal voting. Since 2001 Italian citizens living abroad have the right to vote by mail in all referendums and national elections being held in Italy.
Postal voting is a basic right to end discrimination and permit for an inclusive democratic process. Concerns over voter fraud are unfounded as instances of fraud a very rare. Electoral laws should contain a series of checks to protect against fraud and allow for the integrity and secrecy of the submitted ballot.
Postal voting should be available to Cypriots who live permanently in Cyprus but are unable to visit a polling centre on election day, and to Cypriots who find themselves temporarily or permanently abroad. Within these two categories, 'internal' and 'external', there will be eligibility to apply every time when there is an election or to opt, if eligible, for a 'permanent' postal vote.
Cypriot citizens with voting booklets are eligible for 'Internal Postal Voting' if they are unable to vote on the day because of advanced age, disability, illness or are an essential worker (e.g. medical worker). Persons of advanced age, with a disability or ongoing health issue are eligible to apply as a 'General Internal Postal Voter' in which case they would receive their ballot automatically in the mail after an election has been announced and do not need to re-apply for future elections. Others, such as essential workers, or those with temporary illnesses, must re-apply each time. For 'Internal Postal Voting, applications can be made in person or online.
Cypriots who are abroad, whether temporarily or are permanent overseas residents, are eligible for 'External Postal Voting' if they have a voting booklet. Those without voting booklets must apply to their local Cypriot diplomatic representative for a booklet. Those with a booklet do not need to contact any Cypriot diplomatic representative. Cypriots abroad temporarily, must apply for a postal vote before departing Cyprus or apply online when abroad. Those with voting booklets are eligible to apply to be a 'General External Postal Voter' in which case they would receive their ballot automatically in the mail after an election has been announced and do not need to re-apply for future elections. Applications to be a 'General External Postal Voter' for 'External Postal Voting' can only be made online.
All postal voters receive their ballot(s) and a prepaid envelope containing their name and address. Voters are required to sign the envelope and have a witness sign and date the envelope. The witness does not need to be a Cypriot citizen. Postal votes should be able to be received and entered into the count up to 25 days after election day to allow for delays in the overseas post.
This should be a bipartisan policy and an urgent one for all political parties in Cyprus to work towards introducing at the next opportunity, which would be the presidential election in 2028, but should be taken up as a key policy now at the upcoming Legislative elections.
Professor Andrekos Varnava, FRHistS, FRSA, FAHA. Flinders University, South Australia
