This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
The 2025 Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic Presidential Election was held on 19 October 2025 to determine the president who will serve from 2025 to 2030. According to unofficial results, Tufan Erhürman, General Secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), was elected president.
The High Election Council (HEC) of the Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic announced the schedule for the 2025 presidential election on 25 August 2025. According to the HEC announcement, election restrictions came into effect on 24 August and remained in force until the end of polling hours on 18 October 2025.
The final date for political parties to nominate their presidential candidates was set as 9 September 2025. Candidate applications were received on 12 September 2025, and a provisional candidate list was published publicly on the same day. After completing the objection process regarding candidates, the HEC announced the final candidate list on 21 September 2025, and this list was made public on 22 September.
The presidential election campaign period began on 23 September 2025. The final date for independent and party-affiliated candidates to apply to establish campaign offices was set as 28 September 2025. Campaign broadcasts were conducted through the Bayrak Radio and Television Corporation (BRT), and the order of broadcasts was determined by a draw held on 22 September.
The distribution of voter cards was completed on 16 October 2025. According to the election calendar published by the HEC, all campaign activities ended at the close of polling hours on 18 October 2025.
The election restrictions issued by the HEC applied not only to candidates but also to the president, prime minister and members of the Council of Ministers. The legal basis for these restrictions was the NCTR Election and Referendum Law No. 5/1976.
Election day restrictions were in effect from 18 October Saturday 18:00 to 19 October Sunday 19:00. During this period, news, predictions or commentary regarding the election or its results were prohibited on radio, television and all media outlets.
Additionally, during election day, wearing clothing, items or masks associated with campaign colors or bearing candidate or party emblems was prohibited. All entertainment venues were required to remain closed, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages were banned, and civilians other than security forces were prohibited from carrying weapons in villages, towns and cities.
In the Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic, the president is directly elected by the people every five years. There is no term limit for the presidency. If a candidate receives more than 50 percent plus one of the valid votes in the first round, the election is concluded in that round; otherwise, a second round is held within seven days between the two candidates with the highest number of votes.
To be eligible to run for president, a candidate must be at least 35 years old, hold a university degree, be born to Turkish parents, have resided in the NCTR for at least five years, and hold NCTR citizenship.
The High Election Council (HEC) of the Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic announced that the number of voters eligible to vote in the 2025 presidential election was 218,313. The voter lists determined by district election commissions were posted on 14 September 2025 and remained publicly accessible for seven days, with the final polling station voter lists confirmed on 29 September 2025.
The locations where voters were to cast their ballots were announced on the HEC’s website. After the public posting period, corrections to the voter lists were communicated to the relevant political parties and independent candidates. A total of 777 polling stations were established across the country for voting. To ensure election security, 2,166 police officers were deployed in and around polling areas, a number determined to maintain order within election commissions and related units.
Voting began at 08:00 local time on Sunday, 19 October 2025 and concluded at 18:00. No security violations or extraordinary circumstances affecting the electoral process were reported during voting day. Ballot box security was ensured under police supervision and the oversight of the High Election Commission.
According to the final list announced by the High Election Commission, a total of eight candidates competed in the 2025 Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic Presidential Election. These candidates are:
One day before the election, Hüseyin Gürlek announced that he had withdrawn his candidacy in favor of independent candidate and President Ersin Tatar. In his statement, he described the decision as made “in accordance with the circumstances” and called on his supporters to vote for Tatar.
The presidential campaign began on 23 September 2025 and ended at the close of business on 18 October 2025. Throughout the electoral period, candidates held various rallies, marches, and public meetings across the country, with the capital Nicosia as the primary focus.
Tufan Erhürman, the candidate of the main opposition party, the Republican Turkish Party, ran his campaign under the slogan “A New Era with Tufan Erhürman.” On 18 October 2025, a march organized in Nicosia began on Dereboyu Avenue and ended in front of the Old Parliament Building. Party members carried CTP flags, displayed posters of Erhürman, and chanted slogans throughout the march.
Independent candidates and other party-affiliated candidates also conducted their campaigns within their respective regions, participated in local events, and shared their electoral pledges with the public. Throughout the campaign period, posters, banners, and media advertisements were widely used across the country.
Independent candidate Hüseyin Gürlek withdrew from the race on 18 October 2025, one day before the election, in favor of President Ersin Tatar. In his statement, Gürlek said, “In this critical election, the interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the Republic of Türkiye, and the Eastern Mediterranean lie with a two-state solution.”
While announcing his withdrawal to the public, Gürlek urged his supporters to go to the polls on election day and fulfill their civic duty. He added, “In line with our ongoing assessments dictated by the national interest and the demands of the moment, I am withdrawing from candidacy on behalf of my nation and my state.”
Incumbent President Ersin Tatar cast his vote at polling station number 157 in Şehit Tuncer Primary School in Nicosia, alongside his wife Sibel Tatar. During the voting process, he greeted former Prime Minister Hakkı Atun, who was present at the same school. In his statement, Tatar thanked the High Election Commission, polling station officials, and all candidates for ensuring the orderly conduct of the elections. He emphasized “the Turkish Cypriot people’s faith in their own democracy and their loyalty to their state.”
Tufan Erhürman, General Secretary of the Republican Turkish Party and its presidential candidate, cast his vote at polling station number 83 in Gönyeli Dr. Suat Günsel Primary School alongside his wife Nilden Bektaş Erhürman. Nicosia Turkish Municipality Mayor Mehmet Harmancı accompanied him. After voting, Erhürman told journalists, “This election is the election of our children. The Turkish Cypriot people are a people who have internalized democracy.”
Other candidates—Mehmet Hasgüler, Arif Salih Kırdağ, İbrahim Yazıcı, Osman Zorba, and Ahmet Boran—also cast their votes at their respective registered polling stations. Following the voting process, all candidates stated that the process had proceeded peacefully and expressed their hope that the election would be beneficial for the country.
Throughout election day, the rules established by the Supreme Election Council (YSK) were enforced. Reporting, forecasting, and commentary related to the election were prohibited on radio, television, and all other media outlets from 18:00 on Saturday, 18 October to 19:00 on Sunday, 19 October. During the voting period, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages were banned, and all entertainment venues were closed. Additionally, no one except security and public order forces was permitted to carry weapons in villages, towns, or cities.
To ensure election security nationwide, 2,166 police officers were deployed. After voting concluded, ballot boxes were sealed and the vote counting process began. Results were announced by the Supreme Election Council on the same night.
Bertan Özerdağ, President of the Supreme Election Council of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), announced the unofficial results of the presidential election during a statement on the evening of 19 October 2025. According to the announcement, Tufan Erhürman, General Secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), was elected president with 62.76% of the votes.
According to YSK data, the independent candidate Ersin Tatar received 35.81% of the votes. Voter turnout was recorded at 64.87%, indicating that approximately two-thirds of the 218,313 registered voters in the country went to the polls.
The YSK also stated that the elections had been completed “smoothly and in order.” Based on these results, a second round was unnecessary, as Erhürman secured the required majority in the first round.
According to the figures released by the Supreme Election Council, Erhürman led in all districts. Although detailed vote distributions by district were not published in official documents, it was stated that Erhürman won the election by a clear margin.
Following the announcement of the election results, Tufan Erhürman, General Secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), stated in his speech: “This election has no loser; as the Turkish Cypriot people, we have all won together.” Erhürman emphasized unity, saying, “Our brotherhood has prevailed.”
Regarding foreign policy, Erhürman declared: “Foreign policy will certainly be conducted in close consultation with Turkey; no one should doubt this.” Speaking to citizens in Lefkoşa after the election, Erhürman thanked Turkish Republic President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. He said: “I extend my gratitude to our President Erdoğan, our Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, and our Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.”
During his election speech, Erhürman also affirmed his loyalty to his country, stating: “I will never abandon my land, nor will I ever abandon the children of this nation.” At the conclusion of his address, he thanked everyone who supported him and voted for him, expressing satisfaction that the electoral process had been completed peacefully.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Erhürman explained the importance of relations with Turkey as follows: “It has never been conceivable to determine foreign policy on Cyprus without consultation with the Turkish Republic, and it will never be conceivable during my term.” In the same statement, he added: “Relations with the Turkish Republic are vital to us. This is our state tradition, and this tradition will continue as it always has.”
Following the election, President Ersin Tatar, in a statement to Bayrak Radio and Television Corporation (BRT), emphasized that a democratic process had taken place, saying: “I thank my fellow travelers who believed in me. I congratulate Mr. Tufan.” Tatar pointed to the public’s desire for change and stated: “We will collectively determine the path forward regarding the Cyprus issue.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a post on his social media account regarding the presidential election in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). In his message, he stated: “I congratulate Mr. Tufan Erhürman, who, according to unofficial results, has been elected President in today’s elections in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. I wish this election, which once again demonstrates the democratic maturity of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and reflects the will of our Turkish Cypriot brothers at the ballot box, to be auspicious for our countries and our region. As Turkey, we will continue to defend the sovereignty and interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus alongside our Turkish Cypriot brothers on all platforms.”
Turkish Republic Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, in a social media post, said: “I wish the presidential election held today in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to be auspicious for the Turkish Cypriot people.” In his statement, he added: “The elections once again demonstrated the maturity of the TRNC as a state and its electorate. As the motherland and guarantor state, we will continue to stand alongside the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriots at all times.”
Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Numan Kurtulmuş, in a social media post, stated: “I congratulate Mr. Tufan Erhürman, who, according to unofficial results, has been elected President in the elections held in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. I wish this election to be auspicious for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, our country, and the Turkish world. As Turkey, we will continue to defend the just cause of the Turkish Cypriots under all circumstances.”
Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, in his statement on the elections, said: “I wish the Presidential Elections held today in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to be auspicious for the Turkish Cypriot people. I congratulate Mr. Tufan Erhürman, who, according to unofficial results, has won the election. The peaceful, secure, and democratically mature conduct of the elections is a strong indicator of Turkish Cypriot democracy. Under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as always, today and tomorrow, we will continue to stand alongside our Turkish Cypriot brothers in their just cause.”
General Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahçeli, in his statement on the election results, said: “The election held in the TRNC took place with very low participation. The fate of the Turkish Cypriots cannot be represented by such participation. Even though the election results have been announced by the election commission, the TRNC Parliament must convene urgently, declare that the election results and any move toward federation are unacceptable, and decide to join the Turkish Republic.”
No Discussion Added Yet
Start discussion for "2025 Northern Cyprus Turkish Republic Presidential Election" article
Election Calendar and Legal Framework
High Election Council (HEC) Calendar
Election Restrictions
Election System and Eligibility Requirements
Voter Numbers and Voting Process
Candidates and Campaign Period
Candidate List
Campaign Process
Hüseyin Gürlek’s Withdrawal from Candidacy
Election Day Developments
Election Results
Statements by Candidates and Political Leaders
Tufan Erhürman’s Statements
Ersin Tatar’s Assessment
Official Reactions from the Turkish Republic
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz
TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş
Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran
MHP General Chairman Devlet Bahçeli