Who can vote in North Cyprus Elections

In the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), voting rights vary depending on the type of election. Here's a breakdown of who can vote in each type of election:

Who can vote in TRNC Elections

🗳️ 1. Parliamentary Elections (Republic Assembly / Cumhuriyet Meclisi)

• Eligible Voters:

  • TRNC citizens only

  • Must be 18 years or older

  • Must be registered on the electoral roll

🏛️ 2. Presidential Elections

• Eligible Voters:

  • TRNC citizens only

  • Must be 18 years or older

  • Must be registered on the electoral roll

🏘️ 3. Local Municipal Elections (Mayors, Municipal Councils, Mukhtars)

• Eligible Voters:

  • TRNC citizens

  • Some foreign nationals who have permanent residency and have lived in TRNC for a certain period (typically 5 years or more) may be eligible, but this is not automatic and depends on local registration.

  • Must be 18 years or older

  • Must be registered in the local area

Note: This is the area where non-citizens may occasionally vote, but the rules are inconsistent and depend on local councils and changes in regulations.

🇪🇺 4. European Parliament Elections

• Not applicable.

  • TRNC is not internationally recognized, so EU elections do not take place in Northern Cyprus (even though the island as a whole is technically part of the EU via the Republic of Cyprus).

🔁 5. Referendums

• Eligible Voters:

  • TRNC citizens only

  • Must be 18 years or older

  • Must be registered

📝 Notes for Foreign Residents

• Foreigners (including EU citizens, Turkish citizens living in TRNC without TRNC citizenship, British expats, etc.) cannot vote in national elections (parliamentary or presidential).

• To vote in local elections, foreigners must typically:

  • Have permanent residency

  • Have lived in TRNC for several years

  • Be registered on the local electoral list (requires proactive registration and is not guaranteed)

Voter registration and electoral matters are overseen by the Supreme Electoral Council (Yüksek Seçim Kurulu). For inquiries related to voter registration, election procedures, or district-specific information, you can contact the Supreme Electoral Council directly:

• Phone: +90 392 612 2014

• Address: Selçuklu Caddesi, Lefkoşa, Mersin 10, Türkiye

• Email: info@mfa.gov.ct.tr 

If you're seeking information specific to your district—such as Lefkoşa (Nicosia), Gazimağusa (Famagusta), Girne (Kyrenia), Güzelyurt (Morphou), İskele (Trikomo), or Lefke—it's advisable to contact the local district office directly. While specific contact details for each district office aren't readily available online, the Supreme Electoral Council can provide you with the necessary contact information or direct your inquiry appropriately.