Over Eight Million Cubans Voted in Local Elections

Cuban electoral authorities considered these preliminary results as a win of the revolutionary process in the island.

Over 8 100 000 Cubans exercised their right to vote in the recent elections carried out to vote for the delegates to the municipal assemblies of the People’s Power, said this Monday sources from the National Electoral Commission (CEN, in Spanish).

According to CEN president Alina Balseiro, this preliminary figure represents 91,9% of the total amount of voters (nearly 8 500 000) included in the electoral register.

Balseiro also said that 13 127 delegates were elected throughout the country, while a second round has been scheduled for next October 28^th, in 1 410 constituencies.

The 33,53% of the so far elected delegates are women, and over 14% are young people. Over 7 300 000 ballots were regarded as invalid, while 4,9% were blank, and 4,4% were null, she added.

The official considered these preliminary results as a win of the revolutionary process in her country, and affirmed that the voting was carried out according to the provisions of the Electoral Law. She described the people’s participation as enthusiastic and quiet.

She referred to some interruptions reported in central and eastern Cuba due to heavy rains. Local contingency plans made it possible to continue with the electoral process in this regions.