Cypriot legislative election, 1960

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Parliamentary elections were held in Cyprus in 1960. The House of Representatives was elected on 31 July 1960,[1] whilst the Communal Chambers were elected on 7 August.[2] In the House of Representatives 35 seats were elected by Greek Cypriots and 15 by Turkish Cypriots.[3] The result was a victory for the Patriotic Front, which won 30 of the 50 seats. In the Communal Chambers, the Patriotic Front won 20 of the 26 seats in the Greek Chamber, whilst the Cyprus Turkish National Union won all seats in the Turkish Chamber.

Electoral system

The House of Representatives consisted of 35 Greek members and 15 Turkish members, whilst the Greek Communal Chamber had 26 members (of which three were reserved for minorities) and the Turkish Communal Chamber had 30.

The 1959 electoral law divided Cyprus into six multi-member constituencies, the largest of which was Nicosia with 17 House seats; 12 for Greeks and five for Turks.[4] Voters could vote for as many candidates as there were seats in their constituency.[4]

Campaign

The Democratic Union led by Themistocles Dervis and John Clerides and the newly formed Pan-Cyprian Union of Fighters did not participate in the elections.[2][4] The Democratic Union had opposed the 1959 electoral law, claiming it favoured the Patriotic Front.[4]

The Patriotic Front and AKEL formed a pact for the elections, with a pre-agreed split of 30 and five seats respectively.[4]

In the fifteen Turkish seats, eight members of the Cyprus Turkish National Union ran unopposed in Nicosia, Kyrenia and Larnaka, whilst the 13 independent candidates ran in Famagusta, Limassol and Paphos.[5]

Results

House of Representatives

Party Votes % Seats
Greek Community
Patriotic Front82,88856.130
AKEL51,71935.05
PEKA5,3973.70
Independents7,7365.20
Invalid/blank votes
Total147,74010035
Registered voters/turnout216,310
Turkish Communities
Cyprus Turkish National Union 15
Independents 0
Invalid/blank votes
Total6,729 15
Registered voters/turnout9,15473.5
Source: Nohlen & Stöver, Oron

Communal Chambers

Party Votes % Seats
Greek Chamber
Patriotic Front 20
AKEL 3
Armenians 1
Maronites 1
Latins 1
Total 26
Turkish Chamber
Cyprus Turkish National Union 30
Total 30
Source: Oron, Conley

Aftermath

Following the elections, a 12-member cabinet was formed;[6]

Member Position
Minister of AgricultureFazil Plumber
Minister of Commerce and IndustryAndreas Arouzos
Minister of Communications and WorksAndreas Papadopoulos
Minister of DefenceOsman Örek
Minister of FinanceReghinos Theocharous
Minister of Foreign AffairsSpyros Kyprianou
Minister of HealthNiyazi Manyera
Minister of the InteriorPolycarpos Georgadjis
Minister of JusticeStella Souliotou
Minister of Labour and Social ServicesTassos Papadopoulos
Deputy Minister of AgricultureAndreas Azinas
Deputy Minister of HealthMehmet Nazim

In December 1963 the Turkish Cypriots withdrew from participation in the government, leaving Parliament with only 35 Greek seats.[7]

References

  1. Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p438 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. 1 2 Yitzhak Oron Middle East Record Volume 1, 1960 The Moshe Dayan Centre, p225
  3. Nohlen & Stöver, p434
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Marshall William Conley (1967) Political Community and Social Conflict: Cyprus
  5. Nohlen & Stöver, p441
  6. Oron, p227
  7. Historical review Parliament of Cyprus
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