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Cyprus police have begun questioning 27 people over social media posts and advertisements linked to the 2026 parliamentary elections, following 127 complaints about election-related content published during a period when such material is prohibited by law. More than 100 posts have been identified so far, with investigators now examining whether those responsible committed criminal offenses.
The investigation is based on Article 63(b) of the Law on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives, which prohibits election-related posts, news and advertisements during a specific blackout period. The restriction applies on the day before the election and on election day itself, and covers both paid advertising and unpaid social media posts.
That means the rule is not limited to political parties, candidates or professional campaigners. According to Acting Chief Returning Officer Menelaos Vassiliou, any person can potentially fall under the law, including an ordinary citizen who publishes election-related material during the prohibited period.
What exactly is prohibited?
The law prohibits people from making posts or broadcasting news or advertisements that have a direct or indirect connection to the elections during the restricted period. Authorities say it does not matter whether the material was paid for, meaning an individual does not avoid the restriction simply because they posted something on their own social media account without receiving payment.
The Interior Ministry says it received information from the Press and Information Office about potentially problematic content and sent a letter to the Law Office on September 1. Officials said some of the cases appeared, at first glance, to involve violations of the election law, prompting the Law Office to refer them to police for further investigation.
Police spokesman Byronos Vyronos said investigators had identified more than 100 posts linked to 27 people. Police are now calling those individuals in to provide statements and answer questions before the investigative file is returned to the Law Office for further instructions.
Five of the people identified were not candidates in the election, according to Vassiliou. He stressed that a person's political status is not a factor under the law, because the restriction applies to "any person" whose content has the required connection to the election.
Theano Kalavana among those questioned
One of the people being called in by police is Theano Kalavana, president of OPEK, over a political post published on the eve of the election. Kalavana has said she was expressing her opinion as an ordinary citizen, but authorities say the legislation does not distinguish between candidates, politicians and members of the public.
Vassiliou said Kalavana's case was not unique and that other people who were not politicians had also been referred for investigation. He said the post remains available on her social media page.
Police said Kalavana was the only person among those contacted who had reacted strongly to the investigation. Officials did not disclose which political groups the other people under investigation were associated with, saying there was no need to provide those details while the investigation is ongoing.
Breaking the rule can be a criminal offense
The legal consequences are potentially significant because this is not simply a matter of having an election complaint filed against someone. Authorities say violating the restriction is a criminal offense, and a person convicted under the relevant provision can face up to one year in prison, a fine of up to €5,000, or both.
Police are currently in the evidence-gathering stage, taking statements from the people identified in the complaints. Once that work is completed, the investigation will be sent back to the Law Office, which will determine what further steps should be taken.
Similar cases have been investigated before
The authorities also stressed that the restriction is not new. Vassiliou said similar cases were referred to the Law Office following the 2024 elections, while the Office of the Chief Returning Officer issued reminders about the election blackout rules ahead of the 2026 vote.
The Press and Information Office had also established a team to monitor social media during the election period. The 127 complaints covered posts and advertisements that allegedly had a direct or indirect connection to the parliamentary elections and were published on the eve of or on election day.
A separate issue concerns political messages and the use of personal data during the same period. That matter falls under the responsibility of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection and is being handled separately. Posting election-related material during the legally prohibited period can potentially lead to a police investigation and, if a violation is ultimately established and results in a conviction, criminal penalties including a fine or imprisonment.
