The parliamentary elections of 24 May may cost more than the initial budget, with the Election Service requesting an additional €350,000 to €400,000 from the Ministry of Finance, as the available funds are not sufficient.
In the budget of the Ministry of Interior, €5.7 million had been foreseen for the holding of the elections, however after the cuts of Parliament the amount was reduced to €5.4 million. The increased cost is attributed mainly to the higher wages of personnel and to other operational expenses.
The increases in wages are connected with the changes in salaries in the public sector, the adjustment of the Cost of Living Allowance, but also the increase in the candidates and the parties participating in this year’s parliamentary elections.
There is a possibility of an additional €6 million for a European election procedure, if Fidias Panayiotou is elected MP and decides to remain in the Cypriot Parliament.
About 6,500 people will work for the elections for 14 hours. Among them will be 1,200 presiding officers, 1,200 police officers and thousands of assistant officers. The presiding officers will receive €617 and the assistants €316, before taxes and deductions. In total, 1,200 polling centres will operate, of which 21 abroad, in Athens, Thessaloniki, London and Brussels.
The General Registrar of Elections also proposed an increase of the €500 deposit paid by candidates, as well as that it should not be returned to those who are not elected, so that part of the expenses is covered.
At the same time, there is a possibility of additional cost of approximately €6 million for a European election procedure, in the event that MEP Fidias Panayiotou is elected MP and decides to remain in the Cypriot Parliament.
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Source: Φιλελεύθερος
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