Paphos is set to secure a fifth parliamentary seat in the 2026 elections, effectively taking one seat from the Nicosia district. As first reported by OffsiteNews last January, the increase in the number of registered voters in Paphos is driving this change.

The official redistribution of seats will be finalized on October 2, following the recent legislative amendment that dictates seat allocation per district based on the electoral roll, including the supplementary register of October 2 of the year prior to the election.

Data from the Election Service indicates that a reversal of this trend is unlikely. On the April 2 electoral roll, the difference between Paphos and Nicosia was 1,060 voters, which increased to 1,140 voters by July 2.

The additional seat in Paphos will also end the single-preference voting system in the district. Until now, Paphos voters could select only one candidate per party list. Under the new configuration, each voter will be allowed two preference votes, as the law grants one preference for every four seats and an additional vote for any remaining seat. With five seats, Paphos voters will therefore have two preference votes.

As of July 2, the total number of registered voters in Cyprus stands at 562,004, distributed as follows:

• Nicosia: 195,971 voters – 5 preference votes

• Limassol: 116,113 voters – 3 preference votes

• Famagusta: 114,865 voters – 3 preference votes

• Larnaca: 59,736 voters – 2 preference votes

• Paphos: 46,586 voters – 2 preference votes

• Kyrenia: 28,733 voters – 1 preference vote

Historically, since the 1985 parliamentary elections, the number of Greek Cypriot MPs increased from 35 to 56, with the following initial seat allocation: 21 in Nicosia, 12 in Limassol, 11 in Famagusta, 5 in Larnaca, 4 in Paphos, and 3 in Kyrenia.

In 2011, Nicosia lost a seat, dropping to 20, while Larnaca gained one, increasing to 6 seats, following an amendment to the Law on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives on March 24, 2011.

Looking ahead to 2026, projections indicate that Nicosia’s seats will decrease to 19, while Paphos will increase to 5, reflecting the ongoing shift in voter distribution.