Thousands of euros are expected to flow into state coffers by the end of the month.
Some of this money will be refunded, while some will remain as a bonus in the state treasury.
A focal point is the submission of candidacies for the dual electoral contest, European Parliament and Municipal, as each candidacy will be accompanied by the corresponding fee paid by each candidate.
The number of candidates will be substantial, meaning the total amount paid will be several thousand euros. Under certain conditions, depending on what the legislation stipulates, some will get their money back, but some will not.
According to the law, each candidate for the European Parliament must pay a fee of €1000 on the day of submitting their candidacy.
This amount is refunded to the candidate under three circumstances:
a) If the candidacy is withdrawn.
b) If the election does not proceed.
c) If they receive 1/3 of the electoral measure.
The electoral measure is 16.66% of the total valid ballots.
Therefore, those who receive fewer votes will not get their fee refunded.
So far, we have at least 8 combinations from six candidates for MEPs.
DISY, AKEL, DIKO, ELAM, EDEK, DIPA, ECOLOGISTS, and VOLT.
Hence, a total of 48 MEP candidates.
The actual number of MEP candidates will surely be much higher as other non-party coalitions or even individual independent candidates emerge.
Out of all those who submit their candidacy, only six will be elected.
For the remaining candidates, it is not expected that many will receive 1/3 of the electoral measure, especially for voters of smaller parties.
Therefore, the amount left in the state coffers will vary accordingly.
Regarding the candidacies for Local Government, things are even better financially for the state, as the number of candidates is very high, and the legislation only allows for a refund of the fee in the event of election cancellation or the death of the candidate.
Specifically, each candidate for Mayor must pay a fee of €1,000.
The same goes for each candidate for the position of president of the District Local Authority.
We have 20 new municipalities, and we will find out the exact number of candidates when the candidacies are submitted.
The five positions of the presidents of the District Local Authorities are expected to be contested by double or even triple the number of candidates.
As for the deputy mayors, each candidate will pay a fee of €500.
There are 93 deputy mayor positions, and it is expected that a significantly higher number will contest them.
Several hundred candidates are also expected for Municipal Council members. Each candidate for Municipal Council will pay a fee of €100.
According to the legislation for Local Government elections, the fee is refunded to the candidates if there is no voting, or in case of the candidate’s death, to their legal representatives.
Otherwise, these amounts are deposited in the Republic’s Special Fund.
We also have Community Leaders and members of Community Councils.
Each candidate for Community Leader pays a fee of €200, and each candidate for a member of the Community Council pays €100.
According to the law, the fee is refunded as follows:
a) If the election does not proceed.
b) If the candidate receives 1/3 of the electoral measure in the case of Council members.
c) If the candidate receives 1/5 of the valid votes in the case of the Community Leader.
d) If the candidate is elected in the event of a vote.
Finally, regarding members of School Boards, candidacy is without the payment of any financial fee.
It should be noted that the submission of candidacies for the European Parliament elections will take place on April 24.
On April 25, the submission of candidacies for the elections of Presidents of District Local Authorities, Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Municipal Council members, and School Board members will take place.
Finally, on April 29, the submission of candidacies for the elections of Community Leaders and members of Community Councils will take place.
“The goal is to win a seat for DIPA”
The party’s electoral list was commented on yesterday in statements to Politis radio by the candidate MEP and vice-president of DIPA, Marinos Kleanthous, saying that it consists of 3 party executives and 3 newcomers who combine experience with youth.
He emphasized that the goal of DIPA-Cooperation is not only to achieve a good percentage but also to claim a seat in the new European Parliament.
DIPA, he said, is a member of ALDE, the third-largest party in Europe, and it is imperative to have a Cypriot voice in this major European family shaping developments in Europe.
