On January 22, the Cabinet of Ministers of Cyprus approved important amendments to draft laws related to the electoral process, in particular, expanding the right to vote for citizens of seventeen years of age.

President Nikos Christodoulides called this day “historic”, emphasizing the importance of the adoption of the law on the right to vote for young people.

The main changes include the automatic registration of citizens in electoral lists, the abolition of ballots for new voters, and the simplification of voter identification using government identification cards or driver’s licenses. Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou noted that the package of 13 measures is aimed at modernizing electoral procedures and increasing youth participation in elections.

In addition, the new rules are designed to prevent illegal vote transfers by prohibiting address changes a year before the election. Voters will be able to verify their voting rights using an identity card or through the Digital Citizen app.

The President also stressed that lowering the age limit is part of the policy of involving young people in public life, and pointed out the importance of civic education for the formation of active citizens. He expressed hope for a quick adoption of the amendments by Parliament so that 17-year-olds could vote in the 2026 parliamentary elections.

In conclusion, it was noted that the minimum age for voting in the EU varies from 16 to 18 years, while 18 years is the standard in most countries of the world.

A source: cyprus-mail.com

https://cyprusbutterfly.com.cy/news/kipra-odobril-popravki-zakonoproektam-kasayushhimsya