Disy and Akel neck-and-neck in CyBC election poll

The overall voting intention for the upcoming parliamentary elections stands at 86 per cent, with Disy on 18 per cent and Akel close behind on 17.5 per cent, according to the latest pre-election survey by state broadcaster Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC).

The poll shows the two parties in a tight race, followed by 12 per cent of respondents expressing support for right-wing party Elam and 8.5 per cent saying they would vote for former auditor-general Odysseas Michaelides’ Alma movement.

MEP and influencer Fidias Panayiotou’s newly created Direct Democracy party reached 7 per cent, while 6.5 per cent said they planned to vote for Diko and 3 per cent for the pan-European party Volt Europa.

Seven per cent of respondents said they had not yet decided who to support in the parliamentary elections, while 35 per cent said they would make their final decision during the election period.

Most respondents said they typically decide well in advance.

A total of 57 per cent said they prefer to take their time when choosing who to vote for, while 16 per cent said they decide a few weeks before the election.

Just 7 per cent said they make their decision at the last minute on election day.

According to the survey, 57 per cent cited internal politics and the Cyprus problem as their primary motivation for voting. A further 22 per cent said their vote was mainly influenced by concerns over internal governance.

Only 5 per cent of respondents cited the Cyprus problem alone as their main voting motivation, while 12 per cent said their motivation did not fall under either category.

Regarding the prospects for resolving the Cyprus issue, 71 per cent of respondents said they believed a solution was possible, while 20 per cent said it was not.

This represents a slight increase compared with 2022, when the north was under the leadership of Ersin Tatar and only 18 per cent expressed optimism for a solution, while 78 per cent said the Cyprus problem could not be resolved.

In 2021, the year of the previous parliamentary elections, the figures stood at 33 per cent and 63 per cent respectively.

When it came to power dynamics in the Republic, respondents assigned a striking amount of power to organised crime, at 14 per cent. Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides’s power was ranked at 29 per cent.

When asked about power dynamics in the Republic, respondents assigned 14 per cent of influence to organised crime, while the power of President Nikos Christodoulides was rated at 29 per cent.

Government institutions also received low trust ratings, with political parties and parliament scoring 11 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.

Meanwhile, 35 per cent of respondents said they did not trust “any institution”.

Overall, 47 per cent said the state is performing worse than it did five years ago.

The CyBC survey was conducted via telephone interviews with a sample of 1,417 eligible voters in the period from February 11 to 27.

Cypriots eligible to vote in the parliamentary elections on May 24 can apply to be registered on the electoral roll until April 2. Polling centres will open abroad in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, London, Manchester and Brussels.

Additional polling stations may be set up in other cities if at least 30 voters apply.

Those interested can submit an application to vote abroad electronically via aps.elections.moi.gov.cy or by handing in the relevant documents at the embassies or consulates of the Republic of Cyprus abroad

Registrations are also accepted at district administration offices, citizen service centres, post offices and the interior ministry.

Relevant forms are available at these locations or online at www.elections.gov.cy.