1950 Cypriot enosis referendum

An unofficial referendum on enosis (reunification) with Greece was held in British Cyprus between 15 and 22 January 1950. The vote was not sanctioned by the British authorities. Only Greek Cypriots voted, and the proposal was approved by 95.71% of those taking part; the result was never implemented.

1950 Cypriot enosis referendum

15–22 January 1950
[_] We demand the union with Greece [_] We are against the union of Cyprus with Greece
Results
Choice Votes % For union with Greece 215,108 95.71% Against union with Greece 9,639 4.29% Valid votes 224,747 100.00% Invalid or blank votes 0 0.00% Total votes 224,747 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 250,000 89.9%

Background

On 12 December 1949 Archbishop Makarios II had called on the British authorities to hold a referendum on the future of the island. After they refused, the Church Council and the Enosis organisation organised a referendum. Signature books were provided in churches between 15 and 22 January 1950. The books had two columns, entitled "We demand union with Greece" and "We are against the union of Cyprus with Greece".

Results

Choice		Votes	%
For		215,108	95.71
Against		9,639	4.29
Total		224,747	100.00
Source: Direct Democracy

Aftermath

After the referendum, the Church of Cyprus publicly admonished those who had voted against enosis. In the latter years of British rule in Cyprus, the Church sought to silence dissenting opinion among Greek Cypriots, sometimes by violent means.

In February 2017 the Cypriot parliament voted in favour of commemorating the referendum in schools every year. The decision was received negatively by Turkish Cypriot politicians, causing talks between Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akıncı to be halted.