**Aglandjia Deputy Mayor Race Opens as By-Election Looms**
The process to appoint a new deputy mayor of Aglandjia is officially underway following the election of former deputy mayor Andreas Constantinou to the House of Representatives. This transition has created a vacancy that must be filled in accordance with electoral procedures, with a potential by-election scheduled for June 28 if multiple candidates are nominated.
Elikkos Elia, the chief returning officer, spoke to CyBC on Tuesday, outlining the timeline and requirements for candidates interested in stepping into the role. Nominations will be accepted this Thursday from 9 AM to 12:30 PM. Should only one candidate emerge, that individual will be elected unopposed, eliminating the need for a by-election.
To qualify, candidates must be at least 21 years old and registered voters within the Aglandjia municipal district. The by-election process is anticipated to incur costs ranging from €80,000 to €90,000, as estimated by election authorities.
The vacancy arose after Constantinou, who previously held the position of mayor of Aglandjia before the local government reforms implemented in 2024, was elected as a member of parliament representing the Democratic Rally (Disy) party for Nicosia in the recent parliamentary elections.
According to electoral law, any vacancy resulting from the election of local officials to the national parliament necessitates a by-election within a designated timeframe, unless only one eligible candidate is nominated. This stipulation ensures that the democratic process remains intact, allowing constituents to have a representative in the local government.
In addition to the deputy mayoral race, Elia also addressed the submission of campaign expense reports from the recent parliamentary elections. He noted that all 753 candidates have until July 25 to submit their financial declarations, with approximately 40 reports already filed.
As the nomination period approaches, the political landscape in Aglandjia remains focused on the potential candidates for the deputy mayor position, with residents and local officials alike keenly observing the developments. The outcome of this by-election will not only fill a critical local government role but also reflect the ongoing engagement of Aglandjia's electorate in the democratic process.