NICOSIA - Eleven candidatures are expected to be submitted on Friday at the official nomination process for the forthcoming February 17 Presidential elections, Central Election Service Director Demetris Demetriou has said.
In statements he made in Parliament Thursday, Demetriou noted that the process will take place at the Hilton, in Nicosia, starting at 9am and ending at 12pm.
Every fifteen minutes the Elections Service will be receiving the relevant documents from each candidate.
A deposit of €1,710 is required for each nomination. Rules in place also provide for candidates to be officially proposed by one voter and supported by eight others.
February’s elections are being contested by three main candidates: President of the main opposition centre right party Democratic Rally (DISY) Nicos Anastasiades, who is also backed by Democratic Party DIKO, Stavros Malas, who will run having secured the backing of the ruling left wing party AKEL, and former Foreign Minister, Giorgos Lillikas, who is backed by the socialist party EDEK.
Another eight persons, including a former Minister of Commerce of the current administration, have also announced their intention to run for the Presidency.
Incumbent President Demetris Christofias, who is backed by AKEL, has announced that he will not seek re-election.