“I expect the next president to do something about corruption and to settle the Cyprus question,” said civil servant Andreas Georgiadis, 29, after voting in the capital Nicosia.

Many analysts say former foreign minister Nikos Christodoulides is the favourite. Backed by centrist parties, the 49-year-old commands a firm lead in opinion polls but not enough to shake off his rivals.

He is likely to face off in the second round against either Andreas Mavroyiannis, a 66-year-old technocrat backed by communist party AKEL, or Averof Neofytou, 61, leader of the governing conservatives, DISY.

“Only through unity, through a collective effort, can we really meet the expectations of the Cypriot people,” said Christodoulides after voting in Paphos, in the island’s southwest.

The last opinion poll by state broadcaster CyBC on January 27 had Christodoulides leading at 26.5 per cent, Neofytou at 22.5 per cent and Mavroyiannis 21 per cent.

“All polls indicate that Christodoulides is going to the second round”, said Andreas Theophanous of the Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs. “And if he goes to the second round, he is predicted to win”, he added.

Chief returning officer Costas Constantinou said turnout at 12pm stood at 33.7 per cent.

Voters appeared concerned about a cash-for-passports scandal and the pressures of irregular migration on public resources, while the issue of the island’s decades-old division remains at an impasse.

Cyprus has been split since 1974, when Turkish forces occupied the island’s northern third in response to a Greek-sponsored coup.

“Some things must change radically in my view, on the Cyprus problem and the economy,” teacher Maria Christodoulou, 45, said at a polling station in Nicosia.

The centrist parties that back Christodoulides take a tough line on reunification talks, but his rivals are seen as less hawkish.

Neofytou is seen as a pragmatist and “deal maker”, while Mavroyiannis backer AKEL champions reconciliation with the Turkish Cypriots.

Analysts say campaign pledges to root out corruption and improve the economy are key issues for the electorate.

“Corruption is at the core of the discussion, the economy and daily life. The Cyprus problem is a secondary issue,” said Giorgos Kentas, associate professor of international politics and governance at the University of Nicosia.

Although Christodoulides had served in both Anastasiades administrations, he seems to have escaped the taint of corruption.

“People know there is corruption; the explanation that Christodoulides gave seems plausible to them – that he had no direct responsibility, and they believe that,” said Theophanous.

Kentas believes Christodoulides is attracting support because he is seen as independent.

“This election is all about personality, and people like Christodoulides”, said Kentas. “The other two main candidates are supported by political parties in a top-down process. Christodoulides did not reach out for support – they reached out to him”.

Kentas believes whoever is elected will need “to work hard to re-establish the country’s credibility on the world stage”.

Despite January inflation slowing to 7.1 per cent from 7.9 per cent in December, high energy and food prices remain a concern.

“Irrespective of who wins, there is the challenge of low salaries and high rents faced by the younger generation,” said Theophanous.

More than 561,000 people are eligible to vote, including 10,346 Cypriots abroad, chief returning officer Constantinou said on Friday. Polls are set to close at 6pm local time.