The fear of the possible surprise that Sunday's ballot box may conceal is causing alarm among the staffs of the hierarchs, since beyond the indications, no one can predict the outcome of the voting in the 942 polling stations that will operate in parishes throughout free Cyprus. The unknown number of faithful who will eventually take part in the electoral process maintains the fluidity in the electoral base from which the three candidates who will contest to the end will emerge. Based on all the polls that have seen the light of day, Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol is reportedly ahead in the voting intention. Beyond that, the interest turns to the support of Metropolitan Isaias of Tamassos and Orini and the electoral influence of Metropolitan George of Pafos, who is the holder of the archbishop's throne. The ranking of the other three candidates, namely Metropolitan Vasilios of Famagusta and Constantia, Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphos and Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Kyrenia, certainly remains a big question mark.
They are measuring their strengths
The fluid situation that is observed does not allow, at least at this stage, the search for collaborations between unopposed candidates, since all six candidates want first to measure their strengths at the ballot box and then determine their next steps, in view of the second and final phase of the process of electing an Archbishop, which will take place at the Holy Synod.
The 16 members of the Church's hierarchy will be asked to elect the new archbishop by secret ballot from the three who will prevail in next Sunday's elections, regardless of the final ranking. "Everything is open," a source who has been following events in the Church told the Cyprus Times, expressing the view that nothing can be ruled out. It is considered certain that there will be collaborations between prelates who are now unopposed. An important incentive in the lower echelons of the hierarchy is seen as the fact that whichever of the six is elected, a metropolitan throne will become vacant, which several priests aspire to.
Voting will begin at 10 am and end at 6 pm, with a one-hour break from 1 pm to 2 pm. Believers wishing to vote must have their political ID or voter's booklet and come to their parish polling station, as indicated on the voter lists (https:/poupsifizis.cy.net) Those who need assistance can call 22555600 for information. The overall command of the process is in the hands of John Harilaou, controller of the central treasury of the Archdiocese, who explained that there was no time limit on the campaign. Votes will be counted at on-site polling stations, which will be staffed by government employees, following the model of state elections. Ballot results are sent to the Archdiocese. Based on estimates, the names of the hierarchs who will make up the three-member body are expected to be known on Sunday evening.
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