NICOSIA, Cyprus: Breakaway Turkish Cypriots are voting for a leader in a runoff that pits moderate independent Mustafa Akinci against hard-line incumbent Dervis Eroglu.

Sunday’s poll will determine who Turkish Cypriots will entrust to represent them in talks aimed at reunifying ethnically divided Cyprus. The talks are expected to resume in May.

Cyprus was split in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of uniting the island with Greece.

In the tight first round last week, Eroglu edged Akinci by a little over a percentage point after losing much support to his former top adviser Kudret Ozersay whose strong showing defied opinion polls.

Akinci carries momentum into the runoff after clinching the nominal backing of a left-wing party whose own candidate finished third in the first round.