Five Turkish Cypriots will contest ethnically split Cyprus’ six allotted seats in the European Parliament.

The five were among 61 people who officially submitted their candidacies on Friday.

A new law has made some 58,200 Turkish Cypriots living in the breakaway north but who are also citizens of the Republic of Cyprus eligible to vote in the May 25th poll.

However, most Turkish Cypriot political parties have said they will boycott the election amid demands for a separate, Turkish Cypriot electoral registry.

Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece. The island joined the EU a decade ago, but only citizens in the internationally recognized south enjoy the benefits.

Some 540,000 Greek Cypriots are also eligible to vote.