Reprinting 575,000 ballot papers began yesterday after the original batch was scrapped as they depicted the alleged unauthorised use of the Guinness World Records logo by one of the candidates. The reprint will cost the state roughly €40,000, and the electoral services are looking into the issue of legal culpability on the part of presidential candidate Andreas Efstratiou.
Efstratiou used the Guinness World Records logo on four previous election ballot papers, and claims that as a world record holder, he has express permission to use it wherever he pleases. But Chief Returning Officer, Andreas Ashiotis, rejected the claims yesterday after an email he received from Guinness World Records Ltd on Tuesday informed him that Efstratiou had been contacted in 2011 and told he was not permitted to use the logo on any more electoral ballots.
“In 2008 when Mr Efstratiou was a candidate, he presented the interior ministry with documentation claiming that Guinness World Records had informed him he could use their logo wherever he wanted,” Ashiotis said. “On Tuesday I emailed the Guinness World Records company to explain to them that the use of their logo on the Republic of Cyprus’ ballot papers was taken on good faith from Mr Efstratiou who had assured the interior ministry that he was allowed to use the logo wherever he wanted,” Ashiotis said. “As the ballot papers had already been printed we asked Guinness World Records for permission to use their logo and if they had any objections we would ensure the logo would not be used again,” he added.
According to Ashiots, the company replied that although they understood the Republic’s predicament, they could not condone the use of their logo as they had warned Efstratiou in 2011 that he was not allowed to use the logo for any electoral purposes. “If he was aware of the letter then he should have informed the electoral services,” Ashiotis said. “The legal services will be consulted and if it is discovered that he was aware of the letter from the company then we will proceed accordingly,” he added
Full Article: Reprinting of ballots begins – Cyprus Mail.