Cyprus is preparing for elections in May 2026. However, many young people are not voting. New data shows that over half of citizens aged 18 to 25 have not registered to vote. This is a serious problem for democracy. It makes us ask questions about who represents the people.
The Ministry of Interior shared these numbers. Ellikos Elia, the Ministry's Director General, presented them to political parties. Many adults are not registered. But the problem is bigger for young people. About 52% of those aged 18 to 25 are not registered. Also, almost 40% of people born after 1995 have not registered. This means younger voices might not be heard.
The Ministry has a plan to fix this. They will send letters to young people when they turn 18. There will also be public announcements. The deadline to register is April 2, 2026. The election day is May 24, 2026. Some changes, like automatic registration, will not happen this time.
This lack of young voters could change political decisions. Important issues for young people may be ignored. These issues include housing, technology, and the environment. The election ballot will also be very large. It might have 24 to 28 columns because of many parties. Officials say the vote will still be secret.
A parliamentary seat will move from Nicosia to Paphos. This is because more people now live in Paphos. Turkish Cypriots and people living abroad can vote. There will be polling stations outside the country.
It is important for the government and parties to encourage young people to vote. The success of the new campaigns will be a test. If young people do not vote, the election may not show the whole society. This could weaken democracy in Cyprus.