Athens/Nicosia - The main opposition centre-right party DISY has received the largest share of votes in the European Parliament election in the Republic of Cyprus, according to exit polls released after voting booths closed at 8 pm (1800 GMT) on Saturday.

The conservative party won 35.5 per cent of the votes, earning two seats in the European Parliament while the ruling left-wing AKEL party received 33.7 per cent and two seats.

Both rival parties earned the same amount of seats as the previous European Parliament elections in 2004.

The centrist DIKO party earned 13.6 per cent and one seat in the European Parliament as well as the Socialist EDEK party with 10.7 per cent and one seat.

The final results will be announced on Sunday night when voting will be completed across the European Union.

Officials expressed disappointment that voter turnout was less than in 2004 with 54,44 per cent of Cypriots turning out to vote compared to 72.5 per cent for the previous poll.

The exit poll results were released by the Cypriot public broadcaster RIK.

The European election took place only in the internationally- recognised Republic of Cyprus, because the Turkish-controlled north is not a member of the European Union.

The island's reunification has been a major-campaign issue amongst Cyprus' two main parties. The two have been attacking the other on their differing views on the Cyprus problem, where progress on the issue is intertwined with Turkey's EU membership bid.(dpa)