[/QUOTE]
"It is officially "locked" December 18 as the date for the Archdiocesan elections for the election of the tripartite representative after the decision of the Holy Synod that met on Monday morning to discuss the procedures of the elections.
"Excluded" from the archbishop elections by a decision of the majority of the Holy Synod were those who are foreigners living in Cyprus, as no applications for registration will be accepted on the lists, in an effort to meet the timetable, according to a statement by the throne's investitor, Metropolitan George of Paphos. The decision has raised some murmurs and fuelled scenarios of alliances within the Holy Synod.
The second reading of the decision to "exclude" foreigners
The decision not to accept applications for registration in the electoral rolls of foreign voters passed by the Holy Synod with 14 votes for one against Metropolitan of Kyrenia- and the abstention of Metropolitan Isaiah of Tamasos, due to absence abroad, may, according to church circles, have a second reading.
This decision seems to satisfy the majority of the synod, which was not expecting votes from this category of voters and which was expecting to reward certain metropolitans who already have a head start to enter the tripartite.
Limassol Athanasios, although he voted in favour, is believed to have perhaps not wanted to "clash" with the other members of the Synod who would have been outvoted anyway, in view of the elections. The same vote, however, also included leaving December 18 as the day for the elections.
Holding elections on December 18 theoretically favors the candidates who already seem to have a head start in getting into the tripartite. Given, it is considered by church circles that alliances have already been set up in the synod for the election of the new Archbishop.
Who has the right to vote... Voting only with ID cards
At the same time all Orthodox Christians, over the age of 18 and registered on the electoral list of voters, which is approved by the Holy Synod, have the right to vote. The list of voters of each parish or community will be published in the Holy Churches and on the Church of Cyprus website.
Citizens may come to vote in their parishes only with their identity card.
At the same time, a competent source from the Archdiocese clarified to our website that no decisions have been made as to whether those suffering from covid, or who are bedridden and cannot come to the polls in person, will receive special treatment.
However, the same source said that "it is a remote scenario that there should be mobile polling stations, as was done in the parliamentary elections, to serve people with covid, as people who cannot go to their parishes for other health reasons should also be given the right if this is done."
The elevation of a new Archbishop by the Holy Synod will, by all indications, take place between Christmas and New Year's Day, as reiterated by the enthronement's investitor, Metropolitan George of Pafos.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
