The government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and opposition party leaders have agreed to postpone the presidential election that was scheduled for April 26. A delay of six months has been agreed.
It follows strict measures adopted by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus by limiting social contact across North Cyprus, making campaigning impossible.
The decision, taken in conjunction with the incumbent Mustafa Akıncı, will be submitted to the TRNC Assembly for formal ratification.
The meeting took place at the TRNC Presidency earlier today and was chaired by President Akıncı.
The attendees included Parliament Speaker Teberrüken Uluçay, Narin Ferdi Şefik as the President of the Supreme Election Board, TRNC Prime Minister Ersin Tatar, Deputy Prime Minister Kudret Özersay, Tufan Erhürman, leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP), People’s Party ( HP) leader Yenal Senin, Socialist Democracy Party (TDP) leader Cemal Özyiğit, Democrat Party (DP) MP and former leader Serdar Denktaş, and Rebirth Party (YDP) leader Erhan Arıklı.
Five of those present – Mr Akıncı, Mr Tatar (UBP), Dr. Özersay (HP), Dr. Erhürman, and Mr Arıklı – are candidates in the TRNC presidential race.
After the meeting, Parliament Speaker Uluçay made a statement to the press, where he explained that due to the pandemic and ‘difficult conditions in the countr’y, the parties and president had agreed to defer the election. A new date ‘will be determined by the TRNC Parliament’.
