Sunday will be the first presidential election day in the Republic of Cyprus. And the only day in the extremely unlikely event that one candidate receives a majority on the first day of voting - otherwise there will be a runoff vote the following Sunday. So, given that we live in the era of covid and that voting is compulsory in Cyprus, appropriate procedures have been announced re disinfection, ventilation, and mask wearing (required for officials and recommended for everyone else). The most interesting is the following:
“Persons who are under restriction following a positive Covid-19 test and who are registered on the electoral roll on the day of the elections are granted permission to do so. But, exclusively to the polling station where they are registered.
– They may go to the polling station either on foot or in a private vehicle in which they will have exclusive use for that day and without any other stops.
– It should be noted that the use of public transport is prohibited.
-And they will be obliged to wear a protective mask.”
As with many regulations, it raises as many questions as it answers. Does “under restriction” have a technical meaning such as “required to quarantine” or is it self imposed, as in had a sore throat, took a rapid test which was positive and decided not to expose others. Like most other countries Cyprus lives in the grey world where covid is not a reportable disease so most restrictions are really only suggested, from a legal point of view. More to the point might be the question of which people testing positive are permitted to stay home rather than who is permitted to go and vote. Is a doctor.’s note required? Then there’s the question of transportation - “on foot or in a private vehicle in which they will have exclusive use for that day and without any other stops”. (The syntax is a reminder that some lack of clarity may be down to imperfect translation). The no other stop bit is fair enough. You’re allowed out to vote but not to have a coffee or pick up a loaf of bread. But the car where the covid positive voter has exclusive use FOR THE DAY? So the bloke can’t take his negative testing wife with him on his voting mission nor can he vote early and let her have the car in order to make a separate trip to the polling station later. She’s the one going by bus - or depending on neighbours who are hoping she doesn’t test positive tomorrow.