Valeri Tarapai's Candidacy and the Eligibility Process
March 18, 2026
The Elections Service will seek a legal opinion regarding the candidacy of Valeri Tarapai, who was convicted for drug trafficking. This may be the first time an individual with such a conviction is running for office in the Republic of Cyprus. Menelaos Vasiliou, head of the Service, explained that the issue is both legal and political. The process requires a declaration of eligibility to be submitted by the candidate. If there are any objections, they can be filed within 24 hours of the candidacy submission.