The Supreme Electoral Board (YSK) of Northern Cyprus has annulled the municipal council candidate list submitted by the Social Justice and Struggle Party (TAM Party) for the Lapta-Alsancak-Çamlıbel Municipality in Kyrenia District. The decision, numbered 119/2026 and adopted by majority vote, was issued on 31 October 2026 in connection with the local elections scheduled for 6 December 2026.
During candidate registrations held on 30 October 2026, TAM Party submitted a list of 14 candidates for the Çamlıbel municipal council, of whom only four were women. Under Article 28(2) of Political Parties Law No. 49/2015, all political parties are required to nominate at least 30% of candidates from each gender in every local authority election.
The YSK noted that 30% of 14 candidates equals 4.2, meaning a minimum of five female candidates was legally required. Since TAM Party fell one short of this threshold, the board ruled the entire list invalid.
The board also clarified that while the gender quota is not contained in the Elections and Referenda Law No. 5/1976, it is nonetheless binding on political parties through the 2015 legislation, and non-compliance results in the cancellation of the offending candidate list.
