The CTP nominated its leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, who emerged as the clear winner with a 56% share of the vote.

Under rules set out by the High Electoral Committee, public opinion polls were not allowed be published or broadcast after 2 April.

A poll had been conducted between 23 and 27 March 2005 by the Cyprus Social Research and Education Consultancy Centre (KADEM).

The Turkish Cypriot electoral commission put the turnout at 69.58%, a lower figure than previous presidential elections, which have always been over 80%.

It led UBP leader Derviş Eroğlu to question the legitimacy of the elections, pointing to the fact that so many voters had decided not to vote in protest.