1959 Cypriot presidential election

1959 Cypriot presidential election

13 December 1959
 
Candidate Makarios III Ioannis Clerides
Popular vote 114,501 71,753
Percentage 66.82% 33.18%

Elected President

Makarios III

Presidential elections were held in Cyprus for the first time on 13 December 1959. Only two candidates contested the election; Makarios III, who was backed by EOKA, and Ioannis Clerides, a member of the Democratic Union who was also supported by AKEL. The result was a victory for Makarios III, who received 67% of the vote, although he did not take office until 16 August 1960. Voter turnout was 91.2%.

A separate election for Vice President of Cyprus took place. Fazıl Küçük was the only candidate, and was elected unopposed.