These questions and many more were raised during a dialogue with Orisell Richards Martínez, PhD., professor at the Law School of the University of Havana. Knowledgeable beyond her 33 years, she insists on speaking of the engagement of all citizens in this process because that is the right path to an Electoral Law – to any law.

“The new Constitution is impregnated, from its first article on, with this spirit of participation and takes to a new dimension Marti’s maxim ‘with all and for the good of all’,” she says.

- Why is a new Electoral Law needed?

First, the current Constitution establishes in its First Temporary Provision that, within the six months after the approval of the new Constitution, the National Assembly of People’s Power must approve a new Electoral Law, which is a binding mandate, considering the supremacy of the Constitution itself, as established in Article 7.

This temporary provision refers to the election of representatives to the National Assembly of People’s Power, its president, vice-president and secretary; the National Electoral Commission, provincial governors and deputy governors, representatives to the municipal assemblies of the People’s Powers, their presidents and vice-presidents.

Furthermore, the new structure of the state as defined in the Constitution, requires an Electoral Law that establishes the mechanisms for the organization and guarantees of this process.

Likewise, there are positive experiences of previous electoral processes that need to be reflected in the law. Other processes must be overhauled, expanded or simplified, so the final law reflects our reality in the most coherent way possible, without ignoring the complexity of electoral processes.

- Given Cuban electoral history, what do you think should remain unchanged in this law?

The law must maintain, in the first place, what the Constitution establishes in Article 204, where it expresses that all citizens with the legal capacity, have the right to intervene in the direction of the state, either directly or through their elected representatives to organs of the People’s Power and to participate, for that purpose, as provided for by law, in periodic elections, plebiscites, and popular referendums, which shall be by free, equal, direct, secret ballot vote. Each elector has the right to only one vote.

It should also maintain the essence of municipal elections regarding proposal, nomination, and election of delegates by the direct vote of the people. This first stage is essential to democracy, because the municipality is the level closest to the elector. It is a good place to inspire learning and improvement of electoral processes.

Other elements that should remain unchanged, among others, are the principles guiding these processes that have characterized our electoral system, such as the inclusion of grassroots representatives which can reach up to 50% of the deputies in the National Assembly.

- Which processes should the new law expand or simplify?

There are stages in the electoral processes, such as the swearing in ceremony for example, that become too formal sometimes, and since they have been previously valued, they are extended unnecessarily. They should be revisited in the new law.

However; in accordance with constitutional guidelines, which establish information and transparency as basic precepts of the organization and functioning of the state, there are other processes, such as those developed through candidacy committees, for example, that should become more visible.

In this sense, processes such as the pre-selection of candidates should be developed in line with this guideline: On what principles is it based, what are the control mechanisms regulating it, to ensure selection of the best proposals and to inform the people.

Likewise, the Constitution also defines the permanence of electoral structures. Even though there are constitutional principles that clearly establish the organization of this body at all levels, the law should broaden other aspects such as the number of members; how many will be full-time staff members; and what is the content of their work between elections, for example.

It also should guarantee, in line with its mission, the reliability, transparency, speed, publicity, authenticity, and impartiality of the processes of democratic participation, which implies a great responsibility.

The benefits that the permanent character of these structures implies should be emphasized from the standpoint of control and follow-up of processes, professionalization, and the promotion of a culture of engagement.

We should not only focus on electoral participation but also on plebiscites, referendums, popular consultations, as the Constitution establishes in Article 80. Even in immediate procedures such as the Eleventh Temporary Provision, which mandates, in a period of two years, the drafting of a Family Code, its submission to popular consultation and a referendum.

This law will also have the authority to stipulate how the election and revocation of electoral bodies will proceed: it must regulate the number of representatives to the National Assembly, in order to increase its functionality without undermining its ability to represent the people and its efficiency in action. It also should explain, for example, how the relationships between the public, permanent Voter Registry and the National Electoral Council will work.

Moreover, there are some positive practices that should be reflected in this new law, such as the participation of supervisors and collaborators in the electoral process, without overlooking the basic principles for their registration, as well as their training.

- And once the law is passed, what will happen?

We will be witnessing a new scenario for everyone and for the way information is provided to the people in electoral processes. Then a process to elect and create the new state bodies will ensue, which is essential to organize and legitimatize these structures, and to implement the main transformations taking place in the country.

The Constitution’s temporary provisions and its foundational precepts can be taken as a guide for what should be established related to the election of the highest positions in the state and government including governors, deputy governors, and mayors.

- The country’s highest authorities have insisted on the inclusion of universities and the legal sector in the legislative process demanded by the new Constitution, how do you evaluate this relationship in this case?

There are new experiences these days in the field of relations between researchers and decision-makers that are very innovative and this is a fundamental step forward in overhauling the legal system in general. In the field of elections, specifically, there are research results that have been used as references in making some modifications, which is highly significant in the current context.

However, even though the new Electoral Law will reflect the current state of affairs in Cuba and reforms introduced in the structure of the state, we cannot talk, in any way, of a finished product. The transformations that could take place in the future, as part of the ongoing process of democratic consolidation in our society, will also have a legal framework.

INSIDE THE PROPOSED ELECTORAL LAW

The new law has 16 titles, 45 chapters, 32 sections, five final provisions, six transitory ones, with a total of 290 articles.- Proposed is the creation of a National Electoral Council and electoral councils at the provincial and municipal levels, to exercise their functions permanently. – Two periodic elections are recognized: municipal votes for the election of delegates to Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power, their presidents and vice presidents; and national elections for deputies to the National Assembly, its president, vice president, secretary, other members of the Council of State, and the President and Vice President of the Republic. – Proportional representation for the election of deputies to the National Assembly of People’s Power is to be modified, reducing the total number of deputies elected by 131, although maintained is the principle that 50% of deputies are elected delegates to municipal assemblies.- Proposed is the simplification of procedures to verify the validity of elections to Municipal Assemblies and the National Assembly, establishing that this is the responsibility of electoral authorities. – The Council of State will include 21 members, from among whom the leadership will be chosen.- The swearing in of the President of the Republic is to be incorporated within the ceremonial constitution of the incoming National Assembly.

- The proposal establishes that elections for provincial governors and deputy governors be held simultaneously throughout the country, and establishes guidelines for this process.

- Electoral Councils at all levels are to control the preparation and updating of the Voter Registry.- Provisions are incorporated for plebiscites in relation to voting abroad, as established in current law for referendums. – Sentencing guidelines for “electoral crimes” are more severe and it is established that they will eventually be incorporated into the new Penal Code.- Municipal Electoral Councils are expected to participate in processes that take place to revoke the mandate of a delegate, which implies modifications to the relevant current law (No. 89/99) – Salary regulations for members of electoral structures are proposed.- The draft law further develops the principle that the vote is free, equal, direct and secret; grants the constitutional right that each citizen has to elect, be elected, and be listed in the Voter Registry; nominate and be nominated as a candidate for delegate to the Municipal Assembly of People’s Power; as well as participate in electoral processes and file related legal complaints.

As CEN President Alina Balseiro Gutiérrez reported previously, the 605 candidates for deputy to the National Assembly of People’s Power were elected, obtaining more than half of the valid votes cast, as stipulated by law, a result verified by the Commission in all provinces.

Once the elections were completed and preliminary results announced, the CEN continued working to compile all data generated on Election Day, and crosscheck all information.

This process was intended to prevent any repetitions in voter registries, given additions made at voting sites, especially those exceptional registrations of persons listed at their permanent addresses but voting at a different location.

Deceased persons were also eliminated following the updating and printing of lists by the national registry and their delivery to municipal electoral commissions for use on Election Day.

Once the aforementioned crosscheck was completed to eliminate the possible duplication of 336,215 exceptional additions, an updated list of 8,639,989 eligible voters was produced.

Of the ballots cast, 94.42% were declared valid, meeting requirements established by law, a higher percentage than that recorded during the first stage of these elections, when delegates to municipal assemblies were elected – and also higher than observed in the 2013 vote.

The CEN emphasized the work of electoral authorities at all levels, the decisive collaboration of a variety of groups, and especially the people’s participation, a palpable demonstration of recognition of the Cuban electoral system, which conducted a transparent process to elect those who will lead the nation for the coming five year period.

(Granma)

According to CEN president Alina Balseiro,7,399,891 voters showed up at polling stations to cast their ballots, out of a list of 8,926,575 registered voters.

CEN said in a press conference on Monday afternoon that the final results of the elections will be issued after a detailed assessment.

Balseiro said that, based on preliminary results issued today, the 605 candidates for deputies to the National Assembly of the People’s Power (parliament) and the 1,265 candidates for delegates to the provincial Assemblies of the People’s Power were elected after winning more than half the valid votes.

In this regard, she said that the vote for all candidates (which is a feature of this electoral round) reached 80.44 percent, while the individual selection (of one or several candidates from the ballots) was 19.56 percent.

She said that the valid ballots represented 94.42 percent, higher than the 2012-2013 electoral process, while the spoiled and void ballots represented 1.26 percent and 4.32 percent, respectively.

She said that the new parliament would be made up of 47.44 percent of deputies who were candidates previously chosen by the people from the grassroots; 53.22 percent, women, and 13.22 percent who are under 35 years old.

She said that 40.17 percent of the elected deputies are younger than 50 years.

Regarding the percent of the voters participating in the process, which on Sunday was slightly lower compared to previous elections, she said that CEN does not analyze the process, it respects the right of voters whether or not to turn out to vote.

However, she insisted that yesterday’s elections were characterized by the massive attendance of the population to the polling places, ‘the reaffirmation of the Cuban electoral system and the confidence of the people in it.’

The general elections 2017-2018 in Cuba were called last June and its first stage concluded in December with the vote for the municipal assemblies of the People’s Power.

The process will conclude on April 19th with the vote for the National Assembly of the People’s Power, the election of the State Council and the country’s new President.

(Prensa Latina) 

march 11, 2018 07:03:01

10:51 a.m. Another triumph in the Sierra Maestra

At 6:00 a.m. in Minas del Frío, the habitual mist and icy cold wind reigned in this remote community located at 900 meters in the Sierra Maestra, Granma province.

Obisley Reyes, aged 30, arrived at the polling station together with his wife, to prepare conditions for the 171 inhabitants of this village, due to exercise their right to vote today.

“This entire town is a product of the Revolution. It’s no longer just four scattered houses. There’s a doctor’s office, a store, restaurant, two cooperatives, a farm, a little school where my wife works and where our children will go.

“There’s even a rehabilitation área with all the necessary equipment, where I work, to benefit nearby communities. These are the things we are voting to support, for the good people who defend them, for the mountains and the entire country to continue being an example of human dignity.”

Che Guevara created a training school for combatants of the Rebel Army here 60 years ago. The constituency has five polling stations distributed between the communities of Minas del Frío, Mompié, Caguara, Polo Norte and El Roble.

Today, these five historic sites will once again prove victorious, through the democratic vote of their inhabitants.

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10:50 a.m. Esteban Lazo Hernández: The medication against division is unity

The President of the Cuban Parliament, Esteban Lazo Hernández, exercised his right to vote in polling station no.2, constituency no.48, located in the Cesáreo Fernández Primary School of the Havana municipality of Arroyo Naranjo, where he is again a candidate for deputy to the National Assembly of People’s Power (ANPP).

Speaking to reporters, Lazo noted that the electoral process that began in November and continues today with the election of members of the Cuban parliament and delegates to provincial assemblies, across more than 24,000 polling stations, has seen the mass participation of the Cuban electorate and is a result of the significant efforts of 200,000 electoral authorities.

He also noted the work of young people and school children in supporting the electoral process, as well as the training of all those involved in guaranteeing that everything runs smoothly throughout the day.

Regarding the particiaption of Cuban women in Parliament, Lazo noted that women represent 48% of deputies in the current National Assembly, and in the next, they will represent 53.2%. As such, the Cuban parliament is set to have the second highest percent of women members in the world.

10:40 a.m. Indira Díaz Roques nunca antes había votado en unas elecciones

PINAR DEL RÍO.—Indira Díaz Roques nunca antes había votado en unas elecciones. Este domingo 11 de marzo, fue su primera vez.

A sus 16 años, asegura que se trata de un derecho conquistado por los cubanos, que hoy nos toca defender. Por eso, al depositar su boleta en las urnas, no solo estaba dando su respaldo a los candidatos a la Asamblea Provincial del Poder Popular y al Parlamento, sino también al proceso que entre todos construimos desde 1959.

«En estas elecciones votamos también por Cuba, por el futuro de nuestro país, por la continuidad de la Revolución», dice.

Indira es estudiante de la Escuela Pedagógica Tania la Guerrillera, de Pinar del Río, donde se forma como educadora.

«Yo había participado en otros procesos electorales, pero como pionera, cuidando las urnas.

«Era algo que me encantaba, una experiencia muy bonita. Siempre me sentía orgullosa de que me escogieran para esa responsabilidad tan importante».

A pesar de ser, como ella misma dice, «primeriza», advierte que en la escuela había recibido información suficiente sobre cómo ejercer el voto. «Además, cuando cuidaba las urnas, en primaria y en la secundaria, yo también observaba cómo se hacía».

«Pienso que el sistema electoral cubano es democrático, porque tenemos la oportunidad de elegir a las personas que nos representarán.

«No se presiona a nadie a votar por una persona en específico, es un proceso libre y transparente».

«Para mí, hoy ha sido algo extraordinario, porque con mi voto estoy reafirmando que estoy al lado de la Revolución, de Fidel, de Raúl, y honrando la memoria de los héroes que dieron su vida para que tuviéramos una patria soberana».

(Granma correspondent: Ronald Suárez Rivas)

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10:35 a.m. Cuban sports stars exercise their right to vote

Cuban sports stars voted for their National Assembly and Provincial candidates.

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10:22 a.m. Statements by the President of the Electoral Commission of the municipality of Sancti Spíritus

SANCTI SPÍRITUS.- Including all those involved in the different polling stations, constituencies, districts and the Municipal Electoral Commission itself, in the capital municipality of the province of Sancti Spíritus, almost 1,900 electoral authorities have been trained for this electoral process. This figure reveals the extensive preparation necessary to successfully develop a process of this magnitude.

Pedro Iglesias Marrero, President of the Municipal Electoral Commission, who has over 30 years’ experience in Cuban electoral processes, noted that the timely training of electoral authorities guarantees clean and transparent elections.

With a total of 112,889 registered voters across its 260 polling stations, Sancti Spíritus is the only municipality of the province to have two electoral districts: one of a mainly rural population and another urban area.

“I have seen our electoral system grow, we began with teleprinters and now everything is digitalized,” Iglesias explained, noting that his work in this regard has been a valuable experience.

Among the strengths of the Cuban system, he highlighted the role of a group of supervisors, responsible for ensuring the electoral law is followed and the elections developing in full transparency; and the contribution of collaborators, including university students, who demonstrate the high participation of Cuban youth in this process.

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With a total of 112,889 registered voters across its 260 polling stations, Sancti Spíritus is the only municipality of the province to have two electoral districts. Photo: Vicente Brito

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10:10 a.m. The First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Miguel Díaz Canel Bermúdez, exercises his right to vote in the city of Santa Clara.

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10:04 a.m. Voter in Holguín: “I didn’t hesitate to vote for all the candidates”

HOLGUÍN.- Roger Antonio Ávila Rodríguez, an 83-year-old retired judge, voted in Polling Station No.5 of the Constituency No.2 of Alcides Pino People’s Council No.1, in this city.

“I didn’t hesitate to vote for all the candidates. This moment meant voting for Cuba and for unity among all compatriots,” he explained after casting his vote.

Roger recalled the various electoral processes in which he has participated since 1959.

“In the elections of 1944 I was 9 years old, and in those of 1948, I had turned 13. I remember the attitude of my father, who never went to vote, because he said the presidents of the nation, the mayors, the councillors and all those who lived off politics, only sought these positions to make themselves rich.

“To do so, they would do anything. In order to admit one of my sisters with appendicitis to the civil hospital in Holguín, a representative of one of those politicians demanded all the identification cards of our family. My father refused and preferred to pay for a private clinic with the money he had hastily made by selling some cows.

“In those times, what was considered democracy wasn’t respected. In 1952, when I had turned 18, Fulgencio Batista led the coup d’état. My father told me: Now the country will get worse. And he was right.

“Everything changed with the triumph of Fidel, for whom I voted today.”
Roger Antonio Ávila Rodríguez, a retired judge, on depositing his ballot.

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9:30 a.m. Statements by Isabel González Cárdenas, president of the Provincial Assembly of People’s Power in Camagüey:

“We are sure that, as always, the people of Camagüey will come out to vote early, as can be seen already in the streets this morning. We have many reasons to vote: this will be a vote for the unity of the people as regards the Revolution, for the principles that we defend and will always defend, for the historic legacy and commitment we made to our eternal Comandante Fidel, for the future of our families, for the education that we have, to see our children study and play in the streets with complete freedom and without any danger, for this land that we defend, for so much blood spilt and for so many heroes who gave their lives for us to enjoy today a free and sovereign Homeland.”

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9:20 a.m. Voting underway in Camagüey

Camagüey.- Nobody was going to stop Faustino Vázquez Romero from being the first to vote at polling station no.4 in constituency no.61, in the city of Camagüey: “I’m always among the first to vote. It’s my way of ratifying my love for my country. I am what I am thanks to the Revolution, as my parents were poor campesinos of the Amancio Rodríguez area and, what’s more, we were ten siblings in the family. Imagine the future that awaited us if January 1, 1959, had not arrived!

(Granma correspondent: Miguel Febles)

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9:00 a.m. The President of the National Electoral Council reported that voting is running smoothly across the island

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8:40 a.m. Susely Morfa González, First Secretary of the National Committee of the Young Communist League (UJC) and member of the Council of State, exercises her right to vote

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8:30 a.m. Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs, member of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee Political Bureau, and deputy of the National Assembly of People’s Power, exercises his right to vote

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8:23 a.m. Mercedes López Acea, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in Havana, member of the Party Central Committee Political Bureau and a vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, exercises her right to vote.

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8:22 a.m. José Ramón Machado Ventura, Comandante of the Revolution and Second Secretary of the Party Central Committee, exercises his right to vote.

The Second Secretary of the Party Central Committee, José Ramón Machado Ventura, exercised his right to vote in a constituency of the electoral District No.2 of the city of Guantánamo.

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8:21 a.m. Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, President of the Councils of State and Ministers, exercises his right to vote.

The First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, exercised his right to vote in a polling station located in Santiago’s II Frente Oriental Frank País municipality, as reported by ACN.

Raúl was nominated as a candidate for deputy of the National Assembly of People’s Power here.

At the polling station, the Cuban President exchanged with voters and electoral authorities.

Cuban television reported that Raúl voted in Polling Station No.1, of constituency No.11, and was the first voter to place his ballot in the ballot box.

(Source:  ANC)

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8:20 a.m. Despite anti-Cuban provocations, the election process has developed peacefully

Last week, the Cuban Foreign Ministry condemned an attempt to orchestrate a new act of anti-Cuban provocation from abroad, with the aim of interfering in the internal affairs of Cuba, generating instability, affecting the country’s image and Cuba’s diplomatic relations with other states.

You can read the full statement from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the following link:

Anti-Cuban provocation plot foiled on eve of elections: http://en.granma.cu/cuba/2018-03-09/anti-cuban-provocation-plot-foiled-on-eve-of-elections

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8:18 a.m. 17,000 university and high school students are participating in the electoral process

University professors and students are participating in this process as electoral authorities, collaborators, supervisors and members of the candidature commissions.

Over 17,000 university and high school studentsare registered to act as collaborators in these elections, which will see 605 National Assembly deputies and 1,265 delegates to Provincial Assemblies elected. These students have received the necessary training on the details of the Cuban electoral system.

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8:16 a.m. A novelty of these elections: Digital certification

This March 11, the National Electoral Commission (CEN) will implement the use of digital certificates in the general election process, as CEN President Alina Balseiro noted during a recent press conference.

The new procedure will facilitate the agility of the elections, as not only will the information be registered, but votes will be counted, allowing the chairpersons of electoral commissions at the different levels to validate the results and the elected deputies and delegates.

Through this process, all documentation is sent to municipalities, where the presidents of Municipal Electoral Commissions and chairpersons of provincial commissions digitalize all the data and sign the corresponding certificates.

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8:14 a.m. When did this electoral process begin?

Cuba’s 2017-2018 general elections were called on June 14, 2017, and the first stage concluded in December with the constitution of the Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power, formed of delegates elected in each neighbourhood constituency. The second and final stage of the voting will take place today, March 11. The general election process will conclude on April 19 with the election of the 31 members of the Council of State and the President of Cuba.

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8:12 a.m. What happened after the first phase of the general elections, held November 26, 2017?

Representatives of the Cuban people saw an intense preparation period following the first stage of the general elections, the constitution of the municipal assemblies and the later handover to new authorities of these bodies by the outgoing presidents and vice presidents.

The new delegates of the 5,876 electoral constituencies were provided with the essential information regarding their mandates before assuming office, as well as analyses of the socio-political situation and issues identified and pending in their respective constituencies, and all established documentation.

Likewise, municipal presidents and vice presidents participated in courses focused on the economic and social situation in each province, the implementation of the country’s Social and Economic Policy Guidelines, and contributions to local development, among other topics.

They also studied the established procedures on the functioning of municipal assemblies, commissions, people’s councils and administration bodies.

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8:10 a.m. STEPS IN THE ELECTION OF CUBA’S PRESIDENT:

1. Nomination as deputy proposed and approved in a social or mass organization leadership plenum.

2. Nomination approved by a vote of the Municipal Assembly.

3. Election via a direct, secret ballot vote by electors in a district.

4. Election as President by the National Assembly.

5. Must be elected via a direct, secret ballot vote by deputies.

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8:00 a.m. Five sources to follow Cuba’s general elections:

Official website of Cuban general elections 2017-2018
National Electoral Commission on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
National Assembly on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
Official website of the Cuban Parliament
Mobile app on the Cuban electoral system (available to download here)
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/loCXFKHLP8M

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7:05 a.m. As part of the protocol, the ballot boxes are shown to be empty

The first step of the morning is to show voters that the ballot boxes are empty before being sealed, as outlined in the Cuban Electoral Law.

To find out more about the general election process and the similarities and differences between the first stage to elect constituency delegates and this stage, in which provincial delegates and national deputies are elected, we suggest the following articles:

Elections: Questions and answers (Part I)

Elections: Questions and answers (Part II)

Elections: Questions and answers (Third and final part)

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7:00 a.m. Polling stations open across Cuba

Polling stations opened across Cuba at 7:00 a.m. this Sunday, March 11, for the election of deputies to the Cuban Parliament and delegates to Provincial Assembles of People’s Power.

More than 8 million citizens are eligible to vote, as the President of the National Electoral Council, Alina Balseiro, told reporters.

Last Sunday, March 4, a dynamic test (mock election) was undertaken to check that all elements of the voting system, including ballots, the counting and analysis of information were in place, as well as to identify any issues yet to be resolved. As Balseiro noted, the results of this mock election proved satisfactory.

[Suggested reading: The noble face of the country]

Important details of the general elections:

Some 24,470 polling stations have been installed across the country
143 are “special” polling stations – located in hospitals, terminals, and other spaces, to provide voters who cannot make it to normal polling stations with a location closer to where they are based in order to exercise their vote
605 deputies to the National Assembly of People’s Power (Parliament) will be elected
1,265 delegates to Provincial Assemblies will also be elected
Voting will take place across the 12,515 electoral constituencies of Cuba

(Source Granma)

For decades, the presencer of children and teenagers with their uniforms and school attributes, has given a distinctive touch to elections in the island, where there are no police and military forces to guarantee the tranquility and normal evolution of voting.

‘For me it is a matter of pride to guard elections of the people, I have done this many times and always with great happiness’, commented to Prensa Latina Thalia, pupil of sixth grade of the capital’s municipality of Boyeros.

Likewise Reynaldo, who for the first time does this with great enthusiasm.

I had to get up very early and now, every time someone deposits their ballot I have to salute and say ‘voted’, said the seven-year old resident in the Havana municipality of Playa.

Also Cuban adolescents and youths carry out a leading role in election day, when over eight million citizens over 16 years of age will elect the members of Parliament and the delegates to the Provincial Assemblies of the People’s Power.

In declarations to Prensa Latina, the member of the National Electoral Commission Gil Ramon Gonzalez, stressed the participation of over 17 thousand university and mid-level schools as collaborators at the polling stations, a figure that was first established in the partial elections of 2015 and has the mission of protecting the process’ legality.

‘Their presence allows to have a different appreciation of the process, different from that of an electoral authority. The youths are immerse in some of the most significant moments of the day, as the opening of the polling stations, the emission of reports and the compliance with the law, that is very important’, explained the also Vice Minister of High Education.

(Prensa Latina)

“The President of Cuba’s Council of State is elected in second order elections, that is, deputies elected by the people, in representation of the people, approve the candidature and then vote, in a direct and secret fashion, for those who will make up the Council of State – that is the President, First Vice President, the Vice Presidents, the Secretary, and other members.”

At times we hear opinions, not always offered with the best of intentions, that question, according to Dr. Toledo, “whether the election of the President reflects a direct expression by the people. But they are unaware that for someone to be elected to this position in Cuba, several electoral steps are required, in which the people or their elected representatives participate directly.”

During his conversation with Granma, Toledo, also a professor at the University of Havana, outlined the particularities of each stage in the process, so that we can visualize the path that begins, he explains, when the person “is proposed as a pre-candidate for deputy to the National Assembly, in a mass organization leadership plenum.”

On this occasion, the 605 candidates for national deputy, to be elected this coming March 11 – and from amongst whom the President will emerge – were chosen from 12,000 proposals made in 970 plenums held across the entire country. And among these candidates, 47.7% are constituency delegates, elected by their neighbors in the first stage of the general elections, in October of 2017.

Next, Toledo continues, “The National Assembly nominations are the responsibility of the Municipal Assembly of People’s Power,” a process that is in no way a formality.

“This is where the candidature commissions at this level present the pre-candidates, and these are the assemblies that decide, via a direct, public vote, if they approve of someone or not.” In fact, to be approved every one of the proposals must have more than half of the yes votes, cast by the delegates present.

In the event that the candidature slate, or one of the proposed candidates, is not approved, the commission is required to present another proposal, which will be subjected to the same procedure.

“Once nominated as a candidate for deputy, we see another electoral episode take place, that is the people exercising their free, direct, secret vote, be it within a constituency or district, where the deputies are elected.”

This moment described by Toledo is scheduled for this coming March 11, when Cuban men and women will also elect delegates to Provincial Assemblies.

It should be emphasized, he said, that in accordance with law, “a deputy is elected for every 20,000 residents or fraction of more than 10,000, and even in municipalities that have fewer than 30,000 inhabitants, two deputies are always elected. Thus the National Assembly has representation from the entire people.”

He explains, “After being elected and once the delegates have taken their seats in the National Assembly, the National Candidature Commission calls every one of those elected for consultation, and all have the right to propose those who should be, in their opinion, the members of the Council of State, that is, suggest 31 persons, among whom, obviously, one will be the President

“Later, this commission presents for the National Assembly’s consideration, in an open vote, a candidature slate that is the product of the proposals made, and deputies have the right to modify it, totally or partially. After being approved, the candidates are submitted to free, direct, and secret vote by deputies. This is when the President of the Council of State is finally elected.”

In accordance with the spirit of the Electoral Law, if the President ceases to perform this duty, the Vice President assumes the role.

The path taken to complete the process, in Toledo’s words, is “the most clear reflection of the participation of the people and the representatives elected by the people. Cuba is not the only country that elects its head of state in second order elections. There are many nations that hold this type of election, which does not limit, in any way, its legitimacy or democratic foundation.”

(Granma)

LEGAL PROVISIONS:

The Cuban electoral system is governed by the Constitution; Law No. 72 from October 29, 1992; the 2007 Electoral Law and Decree Law No. 248, on the voter registry.

Two types of elections exist, partial and general.

PARTIAL ELECTIONS: take place every two and a half years, to elect delegates to Municipal Assemblies.

The nomination of candidates for delegate occurs in neighborhood constituencies.
- Constituency delegates are elected
- They constitute the Municipal Assembly of People’s Power

Municipal delegates, as the people’s representatives, elect:
- The President of the Municipal Assembly
- The Vice President of the Municipal Assembly

Partial elections + elections of delegates to Provincial Assemblies + elections of deputies to National Assembly = General elections

GENERAL ELECTIONStake place every five years. Elected are deputies to the National Assembly of People’s Power. That is, the country’s bodies of political representation – the Municipal, Provincial, and National Assemblies

Photo: Archive
The Council of State designates members of the National Electoral Commission that convokes the National Candidature Commission.

The National Candidature Commission is composed of mass and social organizations from all sectors of society:

Presided by the Cuban Workers’ Federation (CTC) and includes:

CDR (Committee for the Defense of the Revolution)

FMC (Federation of Cuban Women)

FEU (Federation of University Students)

FEEM (Federation of Secondary School Students)

ANAP (National Association of Small Farmers)

CANDIDATURE COMISSIONS

Municipal – Provincial – National

Compose candidature slates. Up to 50% municipal delegates + those from mass and social organizations.

Municipal: Proposed pre-candidates are discussed and approved for:
- Provincial Assembly Delegate
- National Assembly Deputy
- Other officials that these bodies elect, including their Presidents and Vice Presidents

Municipal Assembly: The body from which higher state bodies emerge. Once the nominations are approved, a process proceeds to present candidates to voters, including the preparation of biographical information for public display and the review of voter registries.

The people elect delegates to the Provincial Assembly and deputies to the National Assembly of People’s Power.

Provincial Assemblies include a minimum of 75 delegates, and elect their own President and Vice President.

The Candidature Commission consults with all deputies, and potential members of the Council of State are proposed.
1. A single list of candidates is proposed.
2. This is presented to the National Assembly.
3. The slate of candidates is submitted to a hand vote.
4. It is approved or rejected.

Then, in a direct, secret ballot vote, deputies elect members of the Council of State. A candidate must receive more than 50% of the valid votes to be elected.

The Council of State includes a President, First Vice President, a number of Vice Presidents, Secretary, and other members.
1. The President of the Council of State and Ministers is elected
2. Members of the Council of Ministers are proposed to the Assembly
3. The Assembly appoints them. Ministers do not serve for perpetuity, while reelection is allowed

The supreme body of state power is the National Assembly of People’s Power. There is only one power in Cuba, that exercised by the people, which is exercised directly through the People’s Power Assemblies and affiliated bodies.

National Assembly of People’s Power: All deputies must present accountability reports to their electors, and may be recalled. They are not professional legislators, continuing to work as they did prior to their election.

Council of State: The body that represents the National Assembly between sessions, executing decisions made and completing other tasks established in the Constitution.

STEPS IN THE ELECTION OF CUBA’S PRESIDENT:
1. Nomination as deputy proposed and approved in a social or mass organization leadership plenum.
2. Nomination approved by a vote of the Municipal Assembly.
3. Election via a direct, secret ballot vote by electors in a district.
4. Election as President by the National Assembly.
5. Must be elected via a direct, secret ballot vote by deputies.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
- The Cuban electoral system is not Presidential, but rather semi-parliamentary.
- The President has no authority to make decisions alone, all are considered by the Council of State.
- The President does not make honorary appointments and does not name ambassadors.
- Important decisions are made in collegial bodies.

(Granma)

The elections will see Cubans elect deputies to Parliament, as well as delegates to the Provincial Assemblies of People’s Power. The test also served to finalize details on the information, data transmission, means of transport and communication to be used on voting day; while this week will see the correction of any problems detected during the process.

As the First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, recently stated in an exchange with several sectors of the population of Santa Clara, by going to the polls on Sunday, Cubans will be contributing to ensure the integrity and the future of the homeland.

Speaking to a large group of cadres and agricultural workers, the member of the Party Political Bureau also recognized the historic significance of these elections, which will take place amidst a complex international situation, characterized by the tightening of the U.S. blockade and further attempts to destroy the Revolution.

He also recalled Fidel’s ideas about our democratic system, and the importance the historic leader attached to the understanding of the value of a united vote, which must be exercised through the conviction of the people, and not serve as a mere slogan.

(Granma)

‘The Cuban electoral process has many elements that distinguish it, and recognizing them is a source of pride,’ stated the CEN vice president Tomás Amarán during a press conference.

According to the official, one of the most important issues is the participation of citizens in the direction of the process.

Amarán also mentioned the way in which candidates are proposed and nominated: directly by the people or mass organizations without mediation in the process of individual propaganda, campaigns or economic interest.

‘It is significant that there are no political parties imposing candidates. Here these are the same a worker, a self-employed worker, an artist or an athlete, a scientist, a soldier, a doctor or an academic, ‘he said.

All of them -he added- appear at work centers, neighborhoods and communities, where they exchange criteria with citizens.

In addition, the candidates are on equal terms and no one can influence the voters’ decision, even the members of the polling stations are instructed to act with extreme care so that voters do not interpret any favoritism during the explanation of the procedure, he stressed.

‘The strengths of our process are many, but, of course, the massive and active participation of the people in each phase, transparency and total adherence to the law stand out,’ commented Amarán.

Although the frequent checking and verification carried out by the National Electoral Commission indicate organizational difficulties, in Cuba there is no evidence of illicit or other facts that make one doubt of the quality of the elections, the authority concluded.

(Prensa Latina)

According to CEN Vicepresident, Tomas Amarán, it is a traditional exercise, as it was done in the previous stage of the electoral process, when the district delegates were elected to the municipal assemblies of People’s Power.

This dynamic test was conceived to verify, check and to the point in everything related to voting, said the official to reporters.

According to Amaran, Sunday’s test will develop in two moments. From 7:30 to 8:30, local time, the instruments and resources will be checked, the personnel, communication media and computers to be used on March 11.

Only the children who will guard the ballot boxes and the voters (students of primary and secondary schools) , he explained.

After that, there will be a closing -whose results will not be reported until the end- and there will be a second moment when all election structures at all levels, from the tables to the nation, he added.

Amaran then said that at that moment they would work with situations and simulated reports as a test to processing the reports, counting votes, sending the results from the polling stations to the districts and from there to the higher levels.

The same will be done in the districts and municipal commissions where counting will be checked and the process will be concluded with the validation of results, added the CEN Vicepresident.

Once ended the validation of the process of deputies to the People’s Power National Assembly, the validation by provincial delegates will then take place.

At the end, electoral commissions in districts and municipalities will then resume what happened in the day and report the incidents and problems detected.

‘We will then be sure we are in a condition to face elections on March 11 with the required discipline and organization’, said Amaran. From the drill, there will still be a week to solve detected problems. ‘Many of the situations will be solved the same day of the drill and others in need of specific resources, will have the support of all organizations and the people that always cooperates in an active way in these processes’, said the official.

‘We are confident that the 11th the process will have the required quality, discipline, organization, transparency and professionality that characterizes our electoral authorities’, he concluded.

(Prensa Latina)