Bertan Özerdağ, Chairman of Northern Cyprus's Supreme Election Council (YSK), called on citizens to go to the polls in an appearance on BRT's "Gündem 12" programme, where he outlined preparations for the upcoming parliamentary and local elections.
Özerdağ said the electorate was expected to number approximately 225,000, with exact figures to be confirmed after voter lists are posted for public review, objections are assessed, and final lists are drawn up. He added that district-level voter counts could be released to the public as early as next week.
The ballot draw, which will determine the order of candidates on voting slips, is scheduled for 9 November. Özerdağ explained that ballot printing will begin once candidate applications are finalised and the draw has taken place.
On voting procedure, Özerdağ noted that the mixed-vote system has been abolished. Under the new arrangement, voters will use a stamp-and-preference method. He said informational materials explaining the new process would be distributed as election day approaches. Voter cards will be sent to citizens by post, and the YSK website will allow voters to check whether their names appear on the lists and, once final lists are published, to find out their assigned polling station.
Özerdağ confirmed that polling station locations across the country have been finalised without any issues, and that election board members will receive the necessary training ahead of election day.
Calling for a democratic, lawful, and secure election process, Özerdağ urged political parties to act within the rules throughout the campaign period and expressed hope for high voter turnout, saying a successful election would be a gain for the country as a whole.
