• Cyprus' President and Cypriot Presidential candidate Nicos Anastasiades waves to the crowd outside a polling station during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots were voting Sunday for a new president who they hope will overcome years of failure and finally resolve the ethnic divisions that have torn the Mediterranean island-nation into a Greek south and a Turkish north. Photo: Pavlos Vrionides, AP / Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Photo: Pavlos Vrionides, AP
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Cyprus' President and Cypriot Presidential candidate Nicos Anastasiades waves to the crowd outside a polling station during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots were voting Sunday for a new president who they hope will overcome years of failure and finally resolve the ethnic divisions that have torn the Mediterranean island-nation into a Greek south and a Turkish north. less
Cyprus' President and Cypriot Presidential candidate Nicos Anastasiades waves to the crowd outside a polling station during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on ... more
Photo: Pavlos Vrionides, AP
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Cyprus' President and Cypriot Presidential candidate Nicos Anastasiades makes statements outside a polling station during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
Cyprus' President and Cypriot Presidential candidate Nicos Anastasiades makes statements outside a polling station during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on Sunday, ... more
Photo: Pavlos Vrionides, AP
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An elderly woman casts her ballot during the presidential elections in Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
An elderly woman casts her ballot during the presidential elections in Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
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Cyprus' President and Cypriot Presidential candidate Nicos Anastasiades with his grandchildren votes during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
Cyprus' President and Cypriot Presidential candidate Nicos Anastasiades with his grandchildren votes during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. ... more
Photo: Pavlos Vrionides, AP
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A woman casts her ballot during the presidential elections in Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
A woman casts her ballot during the presidential elections in Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
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Cypriot Presidential candidate Stavros Malas, who is backed by the left-wing AKEL party, votes during the presidential elections in Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
Cypriot Presidential candidate Stavros Malas, who is backed by the left-wing AKEL party, votes during the presidential elections in Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
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Cypriot Presidential candidate Stavros Malas, who is backed by the left-wing AKEL party, votes during the presidential elections in Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
Cypriot Presidential candidate Stavros Malas, who is backed by the left-wing AKEL party, votes during the presidential elections in Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
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Cypriot Presidential candidate and leader of the center-right DIKO party Nicolas Papadopoulos escorted by his children casts his ballot in presidential elections in Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
Cypriot Presidential candidate and leader of the center-right DIKO party Nicolas Papadopoulos escorted by his children casts his ballot in presidential elections in Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
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A woman leaves the booth as she votes in presidential elections in Nicosia, Cyprus Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
A woman leaves the booth as she votes in presidential elections in Nicosia, Cyprus Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
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A man votes in presidential election at a polling station in Nicosia, Cyprus Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
A man votes in presidential election at a polling station in Nicosia, Cyprus Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
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A man prepares to vote in presidential election at a polling station in Nicosia, Cyprus Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
A man prepares to vote in presidential election at a polling station in Nicosia, Cyprus Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
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A man checks his ID number for vote in presidential election at a polling station in Nicosia, Cyprus Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
A man checks his ID number for vote in presidential election at a polling station in Nicosia, Cyprus Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
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A woman votes in presidential election at a polling station in Nicosia, Cyprus Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
A woman votes in presidential election at a polling station in Nicosia, Cyprus Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
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A woman leaves the booth as she votes in presidential elections in Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
A woman leaves the booth as she votes in presidential elections in Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
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Cypriot Presidential candidate and leader of the center-right DIKO party Nicolas Papadopoulos escorted by his family votes in presidential elections in capital Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
Cypriot Presidential candidate and leader of the center-right DIKO party Nicolas Papadopoulos escorted by his family votes in presidential elections in capital Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
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A woman votes during the presidential elections in Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
A woman votes during the presidential elections in Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
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Cypriot Presidential candidate and leader of the center-right DIKO party Nicolas Papadopoulos escorted by his family votes in presidential elections in capital Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
Cypriot Presidential candidate and leader of the center-right DIKO party Nicolas Papadopoulos escorted by his family votes in presidential elections in capital Nicosia, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
Image 22 of 28
Cyprus' President and Cypriot Presidential candidate Nicos Anastasiades with his grandchildren votes during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
Cyprus' President and Cypriot Presidential candidate Nicos Anastasiades with his grandchildren votes during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. ... more
Photo: Pavlos Vrionides, AP
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Cyprus' President and Cypriot Presidential candidate Nicos Anastasiades arrives to vote during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
Cyprus' President and Cypriot Presidential candidate Nicos Anastasiades arrives to vote during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are ... more
Photo: Pavlos Vrionides, AP
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Cyprus' President and Cypriot Presidential candidate Nicos Anastasiades surrounded by media arrives to vote during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots are voting for a new president they hope will overcome years of failure to resolve the island-nation's ethnic division and deliver more benefits from an economy on the rebound after a severe financial crisis. less
Cyprus' President and Cypriot Presidential candidate Nicos Anastasiades surrounded by media arrives to vote during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. ... more
Photo: Pavlos Vrionides, AP
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A woman with her child casts her ballot for presidential elections at a polling station in capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots will vote in presidential elections with critical topics including the reunification of the divided island and economic recovery. less
A woman with her child casts her ballot for presidential elections at a polling station in capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots will vote in presidential elections with critical topics ... more
Photo: Petros Karadjias, AP
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An elderly man casts his ballot during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots were voting Sunday for a new president who they hope will overcome years of failure and finally resolve the ethnic divisions that have torn the Mediterranean island-nation into a Greek south and a Turkish north. less
An elderly man casts his ballot during the presidential elections in the southern coastal city of Limassol, Cyprus, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018. Cypriots were voting Sunday for a new president who they hope will ... more
Photo: Pavlos Vrionides, AP
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NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Voters in Cyprus cast ballots in a presidential election Sunday hoping the Mediterranean island nation will overcome the decades of division that have kept the island split along ethnic lines.

Opinion polls show incumbent President Nicos Anastasiades leading his two main opponents, but not guaranteed to get the 50 percent support needed to avoid a Feb. 4 runoff.

Concerns have arisen over widespread voter apathy, especially among young people unhappy with a political system they see as tainted by corruption and ineptitude.

With three hours to go before polls closed, Chief Returning Officer Kypros Kyprianou said just over half of registered voters had cast ballots so far. That's nearly 11 percent fewer than during the same point of balloting for the 2013 presidential election.

"I urge all citizens to come out and vote," Anastasiades said after voting. "No one is justified to complain about the election's results afterward," if they don't participate.

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Other candidates include Stavros Malas, backed by the communist AKEL party, and Nicholas Papadopoulos, leader of the center-right DIKO party and the son of the late former President Tassos Papadopoulos.

Cyprus was split into a Greek-speaking south and a Turkish-speaking north in 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup by supporters of union with Greece. Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and it maintains more than 35,000 Turkish troops in the north.

Voter Stella Olympiou said: "I'm hoping for a solution to Cyprus' division first of all, and to improve the people's standard of living, to give us back the cuts from our salaries."

Another voter, Maria Georgiou, said the next president needs to push the country forward. "We've been at a standstill too long," she said.

Anastasiades, 71, has campaigned on his experience, which he says brought reunification talks with breakaway Turkish Cypriots farther than at any time in more than four decades.

But both Malas, 50, and Papadopoulos, 44, have attacked Anastasiades for the failure of the recent peace talks that ended in July. Malas said the president was not bold enough to clinch a deal, and Papadopoulos said the president made too many concessions at the talks.

Anastasiades and Malas have said they would reach out to Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to the negotiations restarted. Papadopoulos said he would first sound out U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Malas and Papadopoulos also accused the incumbent of not doing enough to support a shrinking middle class hit hard after 2013 when Cyprus needed a multibillion-euro rescue package from its Eurozone partners and the International Monetary Fund.

Anastasiades has said his leadership brought the country's economy back from near bankruptcy.