Cyprus elections and the rights of citizens

Cyprus went to the polls yesterday to elect a new President. On the advice of my High Commission here in Australia, I filled in all the necessary forms and registered to vote. I was prepared to fly to Canberra to cast my vote. Some weeks before the election I was told that there would be no voting poll in Canberra. It was too late to make other arrangements so I was unable to vote. The first round yesterday saw a lot of blank votes cast as well as abstentions. Why I ask? 

Cypriots abroad do not seem to have the same guaranteed right and the means to cast their vote as every single citizen of Cyprus should be entitled to do. Some polling stations were open abroad but only in a few cities. I do not know if postal votes are even considered. 

This is where the government should be concentrating, its efforts. Making sure its citizens are able to exercise their democratic right and give them the ability to do so wherever they are in the world instead of selling Cypriot citizenships for vast amounts of money to foreigners who have no connection to the place.

Citizenship is such an important basic tenet of people who either through a birth right or residence chose to make a country their home.I cannot emphasise how important cultivating and raising good citizens is, in the world today. Citizens who care what is happening and want to have a say. Citizens who are proud or concerned about their country. Nationalism has no place in good citizenship. Involvement, diversity, tolerance and collaboration do and above all the right to vote. 

So Cypriots who are able to vote, please go and exercise your democratic right and do so for the next round of voting on Sunday knowing that your vote may determine the direction of the country and the possible solution to the Cyprus problem for the next five years.