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Democratic Elections: A Dream of Billions of People Around the World

The National Election Commission (CEN) announced to oversee Municipal Elections in April and May

CUBA, Jan 7, 2010. - Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcón de Quesada presided over an act to announce the National Election Commission (CEN) members who will oversee the nationwide Municipal Elections in April and May, and the following elections to select the presidents and vice presidents of the Municipal Assemblies.  
“A celebration of true democracy, which before 1959 was never thought possible by Cubans and which is still a dream for billions of people around the world, is what has characterized recent elections in Cuba and ones to come such as the municipal elections to be held in April and May 2010,” said Alarcon during the act held at the José Martí Monument in Havana.

Alarcón said that the upcoming elections will be a free and conscious exercise of the voters’ rights. He informed that in the coming weeks, according to the Electoral Law in force, elections to renew local governments will be called, in which every Electoral commission member will play a very important role. 
“The process leading up to the election of local delegates and the elections themselves must be rigorous and systematic...Our electoral system is one of the achievements of the Cuban Revolution that we will never give up and must continually strive to improve it.”  

“Democracy is the main victim of the policies imposed by the global capitalism, any one who doubts this has only to look at [the recent climate change debates in] Copenhagen and the ensuing despicable farce.”    

Alarcón pointed out that strengthening institutions is one way to improve democracy, and thus, to improve socialism as well as popular participation. He said that all the nomination meetings should strive to be an example of real citizen participation where active participation leads to genuine reflection and debate. 
Also participating at the ceremony were government officials Ramiro Valdés Menéndez and Salvador Valdés Mesa. The secretary of the Council of State, Homero Acosta Álvarez, introduced the National Electoral Commission members consisting of one president, vice president and secretary; and 14 members.  

The 17-member commission is made up by President Ana María Mari Machado; Vice President Rubén Pérez Rodríguez; Secretary Alina Balceiro Gutiérrez; and  members Juan Aizpúrua Rodríguez, Miguel Pérez Martín, coronel Leonides Rodríguez Rojas, Manuel Ríos Medina, Alberto Núñez Betancourt, Arnel Medina Cuenca, Yamila González Ferrer, Ileana Sandoval Roldán, Mayra Díaz García, Miguel Lara Giner, Armando Barrera García, teniente coronel Julio A. Torres García, Tomás Amarán Díaz and Minerva Valdés Temprana. (Cubaminrex -  Juventud Rebelde)

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