Akel condemns poster desecration in Polis as ‘intimidation tactic’

Akel’s paphos branch condemned what it described as acts of vandalism targeting election material in Polis Chrysochous, reporting that unknown individuals defaced candidates’ posters with swastikas and other hate symbols during the night.

In a statement issued on Friday, the party’s district committee said the incident represents “absolute depravity” and constitutes an organised attempt to intimidate, attributing the actions to far right elements.

It said the perpetrators aimed to “terrorise society” through symbolic acts associated with extremism and division.

According to Akel, the defacement involved writing “symbols of hatred” on the faces of candidates depicted on campaign posters, an act it said reflects a broader “culture” rooted in “hatred, barbarity and division”.

The party argued that such actions are designed to undermine democratic participation and create fear ahead of the upcoming electoral process.

Despite the incident, the committee stressed that its members would not be deterred, stating “they are not going to scare us or bend us”.

It added that the actions would not weaken their morale nor alter its political stance, rejecting what it described as attempts to silence and intimidate through vandalism.