Turkish Cypriots vote in poll that could speed peace talks

Voters in the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus went to the polls Sunday to choose a new leader in a runoff that could accelerate UN-backed efforts to unify the island.

Polling stations closed at 6:00 pm (1500 GMT) across the disputed territory, which covers the northern third of the Mediterranean resort island and which is seen as illegal by nearly every country on Earth.

Nationalist incumbent Dervis Eroglu won the most votes in last weekend's first round but is expected to be trumped by challenger Mustafa Akinci, a longtime advocate of reconciliation with Cyprus's internationally recognised government.

Voters streamed steadily into polling stations in Nicosia from early morning, many bringing their children along to share the experience.

"For our future and our children's future it is important to vote," said Arman Anik, 38. "We are entering a critical period and it is important to give the job to the right person."

Akinci is a former mayor of the Turkish Cypriot half of the island's divided capital Nicosia and has openly supported reunification with the Republic of Cyprus.

A UN-monitored ceasefire line has divided the island since 1974 when Turkish troops occupied its northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup seeking union with Greece.

The Turkish Cypriots, who had already pulled out of government institutions in the face of communal violence in 1963, declared their breakaway state in 1983.

But it is recognised only by Turkey, which provides around a third of its budget.

Voters said they hoped their next leader would end Turkish Cypriots' international isolation.

"We are under stress. There are economic problems and respect for each other has decreased due to our indefinite (status)," said Nazife Kunt, 65.
The United Nations has put forward multiple peace plans but they have all failed, notably a plan by then UN chief Kofi Annan that was approved by Turkish Cypriots but rejected by Greek Cypriots in simultaneous votes in 2004.

- 'Unwanted developments' -

Eroglu, in power since 2010, won the most votes in the first round, just over one percentage point ahead of Akinci and edging out the territory's first woman prime minister Sibel Siber.

Campaigning turned sour last week, with Eroglu accusing Akinci of seeking to remove a giant TRNC flag from the mountains overlooking Nicosia and alleging that he is backed by the United States.

After casting his ballot at a primary school in the capital, Akinci told reporters there had been "unwanted developments" in the lead-up to polling day but thanked voters "who have tried their best for democracy".

Speaking after voting in his eastern hometown of Famagusta, Eroglu declared: "The marathon is over."

Election organisers said they were investigating reports that about 50 ballot papers had gone missing from a polling station in Famagusta.

Turnout among the territory's roughly 176,000 registered voters was about 56 percent with an hour of polling remaining, organisers said.

UN-sponsored peace talks are set to resume after Sunday's election following a Greek Cypriot decision to end a six-month boycott.

Although a fresh dispute over Mediterranean oil and gas has soured relations between Turkish and Greek Cypriot authorities, both Ankara and Washington voiced hope last week that 2015 could finally be the year that Cyprus is reunited.

But voters were more circumspect about the prospects of the election leading to that long sought-after goal.

"If the new leader can deliver change, then good. He's welcome," said Ugur Barani, 48. "The people we elected in the past gave us hope then did nothing."