Elections 2007-2008
Cuba Setting Up National Assembly CUBA, February 9, 2008.- The Council of State of the Republic of Cuba has officially called to set up the National Assembly of the Peoples' Power next February 24 and start a new Legislature, according to a communiqué issued Friday night in national television. As stated by Cuban First Vice President Raul Castro in the note, the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba, using powers conferred in Article 90 of the country's Constitution and in accordance with provisions of the Electoral Law 72, Article 137 dated October 29 1992, has adopted the following accord: On February 24, 2008 at 10 a.m. in Havana's International Conference Center, deputies elected in the January 20 elections to join the National Assembly of the Peoples' Power will meet to create such Assembly for a new Legislature. The note further states that the agreement must be informed to Presidents of the National Assembly of Peoples' Power, the Candidacy and National Electoral Commissions, as well as relevant individuals and legal entities. This note will be published in the Official Gazette. (Cubaminrex-RHC)
Cuba Arranges State Council Election CUBA, February 4, 2008.- Cuban electoral authorities continue Monday arrangements to elect on February 24 the Council of State, which is the island's top state representation. The recently elected 614 delegates for the National Assembly of the Peoples' Power will elect 31 members to the Council of State, led by Fidel Castro since its creation in 1976. Alberto Marchante, member of the National Candidatures Commission, said recently that the country will present aspirants to those posts after an extensive process of consultations with legislators, as they did with provincial delegates. "We must present on February 24 proposals for president, vice president and secretary of the Parliament, as well as for president, first vice president, five vice presidents, secretary and other members of the State Council," Marchante stated. According to the Republic's Constitution, that body has among its functions to grant decorations and honorary titles, appoint commissions, concede pardons and denounce international treaties. Also on the list is to appoint and dismiss Cuban diplomatic representatives in other States and grant or deny the approval to diplomatic representatives from other countries. According to sources from the National Electoral Commission, the January 20 general elections had 96.89 percent of voters. Media published today photos and names of presidents and vice presidents for the 14 Provincial Assemblies of the Peoples' Power, created on February 2. General elections were called in July by the Council of State and the first phase closed in October with the election of 15,236 delegates for the 169 municipal assemblies of the Peoples' Power. (Cubaminrex-PL)
Speech by Dr. Parnel Campbell, President of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Committee for Freedom of the Cuban Five at the celebration of the 49th Anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. On Friday 11th January 2008, during the course of my recent visit to Cuba, I had the pleasure of visiting the Provincial Assembly of Cienfuegos. There I received a detailed explanation of the political and administrative system of the provinces and municipalities of Cuba. Later that afternoon I visited with one of the People´s Council in the city of Cienfuegos. That was an experience I will always cherish. The People´s Council is democracy in its purest form. It is made up of, literally, the grass roots of Cuba. Individuals, representatives of mass organisations, civic officials, and so on. A forum in which everyone can raise any matter of concern whether personal or communal, and where officials can be questioned, criticized, and given instructions. There is no institution like that in our parliamentary system in the Eastern Caribbean. Having gone personally to Cuba, however, and learning first-hand about the Cuban system of government, I have been able to confront my misgivings and to view the revolutionary governance in Cuba with a new perspective. Quite clearly, the Cuban model is unique in its details. The system endeavours to meet the multiple challenges of defending the revolution; of empowering the people; of managing a complex state apparatus in a highly technological age; and of according respect to fundamental human rights. My immediate impressions of Cuba are overwhelmingly positive. I have been struck by the loyalty of the people to the values of their revolution; the collective discipline of the general population; the integrity of state, provincial and municipal official at all levels; and the ever-present cultural expressions of the Cuban spirit as exemplified by the architecture, the murals, the paintings, and the sculptures which greet the eye at every turn and in every building. Cubans have every right to describe their system as "democratic". In my humble opinion, if democracy is described as “government of the people, by the people, and for the people”, then there are many things which we in the Eastern Caribbean can learn from Cuba by way of achieving genuine democracy in our own constitutional and political systems. I salute the government and people of Cuba -- correction; I salute the PEOPLE of Cuba, since the “government” and “people” of Cuba are practically the same entity. I especially applaud the magnificent contribution of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cuba to the development and humanization of his country, of the Caribbean, and of the developing world as a whole. Long live the Cuban Revolution! Long live President Fidel Castro Ruz! (Cubaminrex-Embacuba San Vicente y las Granadinas)
President of Cuban Parliament Ricardo Alarcon: Today's Vote Guarantees Continuity of Cuban Revolution CUBA , January 20, 2008.- The President of the Cuban Parliament Ricardo Alarcon exerted his right to vote this Sunday morning in Havana. "I have voted as my consciousness dictated me to," he told reporters gathered at the voting station. Addressing the characteristics of these general elections, Alarcon said that like in previous polls, renovation is a key ingredient. "Approximately two thirds of the candidates are first time nominees", said the leader. "This is what guarantees the continuity of the Cuban Revolution." The head of Cuba's National Assembly spoke about the candidates of his voting station, one of which is Ramon Labañino, one of the Five Cuban anti-terrorist fighters held in US jails since 1998. Alarcon told the press "I voted for him and although the vote is secret, I openly say that I voted for the full slate of candidates." Ricardo Alarcon said that in the short lapse of time he was alone in the ballot box to cast his vote, he thought of those who can not cast theirs for one reason or another, and he thought of the Cuban Five. "I am sure they would have cast the full slate vote just as I did," said Alarcon. "By March 5, the Parliament should have met to elect the Council of State and Cuba's President," Alarcon announced. A question from the media regarding whether Fidel would be re-elected as Cuban President, moved him to say "As a deputy I should be consulted that decision, and my answer is "Yo voto por el con las dos manos" (Two hands up for him)" (Cubaminrex-RHC)
Cuba Headlines Vote Attendance CUBA, January 21, 2008.- Newspapers and the main Cuban radio and TV news programs highlight people's massive participation in the second stage of the island's general elections. "Over eight million Cubans voted," headlined "Granma" newspaper by referring to 95-percent attendance of over 8.4 million voters registered. The daily states that the National Electoral Commission will reveal Monday afternoon preliminary results of elections, including the quantity of blank, valid and null votes, behavior of the united and selective vote in the nation's different provinces, and opinions on the meaning of the vote. Also on the list are criteria by Cuban President Fidel Castro and First Vice President Raul Castro, as well as those of students, sportspeople, professionals and retirees representing sectors of the Cuban society. "Trabajadores" weekly reveals the quantity of Cubans who voted to elect 614 deputies for the Parliament and 1,201 delegates for the provincial assemblies of the People's Power. Radio Rebelde's news program "Haciendo Radio" and TV space "Buenos Dias" publish interviews made to the people and moments of elections through correspondents in the nation's several territories. After Sunday polls, deputies will create on February 24 the National Assembly, which will elect the Council of State with a president, first vice president, five vice presidents, a secretary and 23 members more. The Parliament will also elect a president, vice president, secretary and representatives of the 10 permanent working commissions. (Cubaminrex- Granma)
Raúl Castro Votes in Cuba’s Legislative Elections CUBA , 21 January, 2008.- First Vice President Raul Castro Ruz voted in Cuba’s parliamentary elections Sunday morning after observing the swearing in of the poll workers and the verification of his name on the voter registration list at his polling place in the Havana municipality of Plaza de la Revolucion. Raul congratulated the poll workers around the country, present at the voting stations since the early morning hours on Sunday. A total of 8.4 million Cubans are eligible to vote for members of their provincial legislatures and the national parliament for a five-year term. Raul Castro, who is also the minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), stressed the importance of the electoral process for the country and informed that the new parliament would be constituted on February 24. (Cubaminrex-Granma) Fidel Castro Sends Message to Cuban Voters CUBA, 21 January, 2008.- Cuban President Fidel Castro exercised his right to vote Sunday in Havana. He announced it in a message, sent to the people of Western Cuba, affected by rains and winds. The cold, the rain and the wind appear to be conspiring against our elections, said the Cuban leader. "I have done my duty. I did not get wet though. Like others in a similar situation, I was helped by the visit of a member of the voting table of the station I’m registered at. I voted for the slate as my conscience commanded. It’s been reported that at 8:15 AM more than 25 percent of the voters had already cast their ballots, despite the bad weather conditions." In his message, Fidel said Cubans in the western part of the island will be showing the world their awareness and their care for the elections by going to vote as the weather permits, protecting themselves against the rain and observing the 6:00 PM deadline." (Cubaminrex-Granma)CUBA, January 21, 2008.- Over 8.4 million people are registered to vote Sunday in Cuba to elect members to the provincial and national parliaments. The polls opened at 7:00 a.m. local time. In a brief swearing in ceremony, the poll workers sang the national anthem and signed the code of conduct committing them to act with transparency, impartiality and fairness. As soon as the doors opened people began arriving to cast their votes in the ballot boxes guarded by young students belonging to the Jose Marti children’s organization. This role of 5th to 9th graders became a tradition since 1959 after the triumph of the Cuban revolution, reported Prensa Latina news agency. Over 38,000 polling stations opened for Cuba’s general elections. Election officials note that the candidates represent all sectors of Cuban society. Half were nominated after being elected at the grassroots level and the other 50% were elected by social and mass organizations. Voters can choose to vote for the entire slate or individual candidates, all nominated for their capacity, commitment and experience by the city councils, labour, civic and other organizations. Workers, outstanding intellectuals, athletes, scientists, community leaders, journalists, representative of religious associations and members of the armed forces are among the candidates. Of the 614 candidates to the National Assembly, 43.16 percent are women. If elected, Cuba will have the world’s third highest presence of women in parliament. According to Cuban electoral law, the newly elected members of the parliament will elect a 31-member Council of State and they, in turn, will elect the President, the First Vice-President and the five Vice-Presidents and the Secretary to that body of the People’s Power. Election authorities told the press that equipment, material resources and trained personnel are at work to guarantee a fully transparent and quality election. More than 700 computers and 21,000 telephones are in place to transmit voting data and the election results, backed by support from Cuban radio and TV stations. (Cubaminrex-Granma)
Cuban Elections Raise Interest in Latin America CUBA January 17, 2008.- The Cuban electoral process that will take place throughout the island next Sunday, January 20, has grabbed the attention of media outlets in Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. In Caracas, Cuban ambassador German Sanchez said that the elections express comprehensive democracy, in which the people nominate the candidates first at their neighborhoods before the vote takes place. In statements to Telesur TV channel, the Cuban diplomat recalled that the electoral process began last year on the island, when neighbors proposed candidates to municipal assemblies. Meanwhile in Quito, Ecuador, Cuban ambassador Benigno Perez told reporters about the characteristics of his country's electoral system. He said that the Cuban people will elect the deputies to the National Assembly or Parliament and the delegates to provincial assemblies next Sunday. Unlike other electoral processes in Latin America, in Cuba candidates do not make offers in order to buy votes; they are elected for their political background and social values, he said. And in Panama, some twenty journalists from radio stations, tv channels and other media outlets attended a press conference given by Cuban ambassador to that country, Carlos Garcia Trapaga about the Cuban elections. The Diplomat briefed the reporters on the main aspects of the process. The RPC and SERTV TV local channels reported on the press conference, as well as several radio stations, the country's major papers and many alternative media outlets and webpages. (Cubaminrex-RHC)
Cuban Parliament President Stresses Significance of Voting for All Candidates CUBA January 17, 2008.- The President of the Cuban Parliament Ricardo Alarcon said that voting for all guarantees a comprehensive representation of Cuban society in the assemblies of people´s power. Alarcon participated, along other Cuban electoral authorities, at Wednesdays prime time TV show ´The Roundtable, which was dedicated to the upcoming January 20 general elections on the island, in which the Cuban people will elect delegates to provincial assemblies and the deputies to the National Parliament. The full slate vote is a strategy that guarantees the inclusion in all government bodies of political leaders, representatives of social, religious organizations as well as academics, artists, workers, students, housewives, retired people, men and women in general, blacks and whites, he said. The Parliament President said that adopting such electoral strategy also guarantees the continuity of a political system in which all the people can exercise their right to vote and participate directly or indirectly in the nomination of candidates. Those who are elected will have no personal privileges at all, as it has been the case of thousands of others already elected as district delegates, or provincial assembly delegates, or the deputies elected along more than 30 years, he stressed. Alarcon said the men and women elected to assume legislative responsibilities have not even received a salary for that, and they must report about their work, while they can even be revoked at any time. He underscored the fact that in Cuba the vote is free, easy to exercise, while voters have the right to vote one, two, three or non of the candidates, they even may not vote if they do not want to. The major reason to wish that the majority of the people vote for the full slate of candidates is the fact that in Cuba all citizens can vote, something, he said, that seems to be as commonplace and simple as the right to education and health care; however, said Alarcon, it is not the same in other parts of the world, like in the United States. That which is expressed in Cuba by means of the automatic, universal and free registration of voters; the list of voters is public and is under the people´s control, because here we know who can vote and where, he said. Ricardo Alarcon announced that the vote will take place in over 38, 000 voting stations, not on a weekday but on Sunday, while the vote is not compulsory. Cubans are ready to elect the deputies to the National Parliament and delegates to provincial assemblies next January 20. (Cubaminrex-RHC)
Cuba Ready for Jan 20 Elections CUBA, January, 18, 2008.- Cuba is ready for over 8.4 million citizens to elect 1,202 delegates for the provincial assemblies and 614 deputies for the Parliament January 20 for a five-year term. Electoral authorities stated that all technological mechanisms, material resources and staff are ready to guarantee quality and total transparency in these elections. Over 700 computers and 21,000 telecommunication services are prepared to facilitate data transmission and electoral results, as well as the necessary communication through radio and television. The participation of each voter where they are registered and the way to vote are elements to decide the success of the second stage of general elections in the island, where there will be over 38,000 polling stations, sources reported. All the documentation, lists of voters and voting papers are in the polling sites, while authorities insist that only passengers in transit, workers indispensable of the production and services, and in-hospital patients can vote out of their demarcation. The united vote was officially called by leadership of civil society organizations, as an expression of unity and willingness to defend the Revolution, independency and sovereignty of the Cubans. The call also responds that all elected have sufficient merits to represent people in the maximum legislative bodies, with independency in the place where they were nominated. The candidatures are made up of simple and outstanding workers, figures, prominent academics, sportspeople, scientists, leaders, journalists, representatives from religious associations and combatants from armed organizations. After January 20, the members of the Parliament will elect 31 members for the Council of State and they, in their first meeting, will choose president, first vice president, five vice presidents and secretary of that Peoples' Power body. (Cubaminrex-PL)
CUBA, January 14, 2008.- On January 20 more than 8 million Cubans 16-years-old or over are eligible to go to the polls. A test run of Cuba's voting system successfully took place on Sunday as the vast majority of voting precincts are already set for the January 20 balloting to elect members of the provincial assembly and national parliament. Maria Esther Reus, president of the National Electoral Commission, told the press that the dry run involved 38,353 polling stations, of which only 4 percent had problems of one type or another. She said the most common problems were related to transportation, the absence of some members of the voting tables and problems with telephone communication. Reus included among the irregularities people forgetting their keys and thus failing to open on time, a lack of ballot boxes or the absence of messengers. Overall, Reus said that the test run, designed to identify any deficiencies in time to correct them before next Sunday's vote, showed positive results. She said that the national phone company, ETECSA, is working to improve communications in the places where difficulties occurred. The election official said she had also coordinated with the Ministry of Basic Industry to guarantee fluid electrical service. Reus added that during the first three days of this week a test will take place of the automated data processing and transmission system, which, for the first time, will use the Elena 2 software created by Cuban technicians. The president of the electoral commission called on the media to clarify the provision that allows some voters to vote in stations where they are not registered, noting that only in extreme cases can citizens do this. Those qualifying to vote away from home include people in transit from one province to another who are unable to go to the polls before taking their bus; persons who for work reasons are unable to be in their communities on voting day; health workers at hospitals, or people working at the voting precincts, Reus clarified. (Cubaminrex-RHC)
President Fidel Castro: Vote for All Means Unity CUBA, January 9 (RHC-ACN)-- Cuban President Fidel Castro stressed the importance Tuesday of voting for all of the candidates at the upcoming January 20th general elections. In a message sent to the prime-time TV show 'The Round Table', Fidel Castro noted that all Cuban citizens have the right to vote for the candidates of their preference, but he stressed that voting for the entire list of candidates expresses the Cuban people's unity of action. On Sunday, January 20, the Cuban people will cast their ballots for delegates of the provincial assemblies and deputies to the national assembly. Fifty percent of the candidatures were first nominated as representatives in their voting districts and later elected to the city councils. Another part of the candidates were chosen by civic and labor organizations based on their social, labor and educational backgrounds. The Cuban leader underscored in his message the 49th anniversary of the victorious arrival of the rebel army in Havana, remembered in Cuba on Tuesday. He recalled the rally held back in 1959, at the Columbia Military Camp and the presence of Commander Camilo Cienfuegos as well as other details about the important date in Cuban history. Fidel Castro recalled that a prominent publishing house launched the first English edition of the book 'Biography in two Voices' or 'One Hundred Hours with Fidel'. He also drew attention to his own reflections published earlier Tuesday by the Cuban media in which he stresses the exemplary personality of Chilean Elena Pedraza, a prominent Physical Rehabilitation specialist who collaborated with Cuba for a long time and whom he characterized as 'an exemplary communist.' (Cubaminrex-RHC)
President of Cuban Parliament Ricardo Alarcon Explains the Need to Vote for All Candidates in Upcoming General Elections CUBA, January 10, 2008.- The President of the Cuban Parliament, Ricardo Alarcon, explained that the constant threats of the US government against the island is one of the main reasons to vote for all candidates in the upcoming national general elections on January 20th. Speaking in a meeting with members of the Association of Combatants of the Cuban Revolution on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the triumphant entry of the Rebel Army into the city of Havana in 1959, Alarcon said that Washington insists on trying to harm the Caribbean nation and to divide its people. "This plan created half a century ago - aimed at causing unease, dissatisfaction, problems and difficulties - is still valid and that is why it is so necessary that revolutionaries stay united and also to fight our own deficiencies and errors," said Alarcon. He added that the US administration admitted in a recent report that the United States spends more human and financial resources on pursuing those who visit the island or trade with Cuba than on fighting terrorism and drug trafficking in the North American nation. The Cuban legislator also recalled the failure of the US invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan and its threats against Iran. Alarcon stressed that the municipal and provincial assemblies as well as the National Assembly (Parliament) have to work hard to eliminate all the problems and dissatisfactions that may affect the people. (Cubaminrex-RHC)
Candidates in Cuban general election show increase in younger nominees listed CUBA, January 5, 2008.- According to an online article published in Granma Friday, the list of candidates to be voted on in the January 20 general elections in Cuba, show an increase in the number of young people standing for election. Of the 614 candidates for the parliament, 374 (60.91 percent) were born after the triumph of the Revolution in 1959. Another 134 (21.82 percent) were under the age of ten. Only 106 candidates (17.25 percent) experienced capitalism in Cuba. After expressing their interest in running for election, the candidates were proposed by the electoral commissions from the 169 municipal assemblies (city councils) based on the careers and human qualities of the possible candidates before submitting them to the people for the January 20 vote. In terms of continuity and renewal, 36.78 percent of the candidates (224) are incumbents in the current 609 member legislature. Therefore, a little over 63.22 percent (385 legislators) will be newcomers in the new legislature of 614 members with the additional 5 members reflecting population growth. The number of candidates speaks for itself in terms of equality. 42.16 percent of the candidates (265) are women, 118 of the candidates are black and 101 are mestizos. The majority (481) of candidates have university level education (78.34 percent) and 127 (20.68) have a high school and/or technical degrees. (Cubaminrex-RHC)
Project of Candidatures for Provincial and National Assemblies Ready CUBA , November 30, 2007.- After a completely democratic process, the project of candidatures for delegates to provincial assemblies and the National Parliament is now ready. According to a note read during Thursday's primetime television newscast, the Municipal Assemblies will be in charge of nominating the candidates in each territory next December 2nd. It took months of hard work to conclude this project of candidatures for the provincial assemblies and the national Parliament across the island. Grass-root organizations such as the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution ( CDR ), the Cuban Workers' Confederation (CTC), the Cuban Women's Federation (FMC) and the Federation of University Students (FEU) nominated 50% of the candidates while municipal delegates nominated the other 50%. Yanira Ruper Herrera, member of the National Commission of Candidature, noted that there was also an ample process of consultation in work places and in the neighborhoods to know the people's opinion about the nominees. She added that a lot of work has been done so that this project of candidatures truly represents the entire Cuban society. (Cubaminrex-Cuban news Agency)
Fidel Castro Nominated as Deputy for Cuban Parliament CUBA , December 2, 2007.- Cuban President Fidel Castro was nominated on Sunday as a candidate for parliamentary elections that will take place on January 20th. The candidacy of the leader of the Cuban Revolution was approved unanimously by raised hands in the municipality of Santiago de Cuba , located 870 kilometers east of Havana , the capital. The municipal assembly members concluded the meeting on with shouts of "Viva Fidel" -- "Long Live Fidel." Delegates at the municipal level nominated candidates on Sunday for Provincial Assemblies and deputies to the National Assembly of People's Power. A total of 1,815 seats will be contested next January 20th -- 614 of them for the National Assembly of People's Power. Those nominated on Sunday were presented for the consideration of their neighbors at the municipal or district level. The candidates for Provincial Assemblies and the National Assembly came from a list of 55,000 precandidates, in which more than 36,300 were proposed in their neighborhoods between the 1st and 26th of September. Sunday was the beginning of the second phase of the Cuban electoral process. In October, members of the Municipal Assemblies of the Cuban Parliament, also known as the Assemblies of People's Power, were elected in the first phase. In Cuba , there is a long history and tradition of voting on the municipal level for candidates who come from among one's neighbors, going back to the period right after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, when voting for local delegates started on a small scale. The voting procedure picked up with the establishment of the electoral process for government in 1974-1976 during the Matanzas pilot project. But it was only in 1992 that direct elections for the national and provincial assemblies were inaugurated and in which citizens were confronted for the first time with voting for some candidates they did not know as neighbors on a first-hand basis. The electoral system in Cuba serves to nominate and then elect those best capable of carrying through on the path the Cuban people have chosen. The electoral process itself also consists of confirming this road taken up in the revolutionary struggle of the 1950s as the continuation of the war begun in 1868 for national and social emancipation. (Cubaminrex-RHC)
Another Step Forward in Cuban General Elections CUBA , December 2, 2007.- Preps for general elections next 20th January will be taken a step further today, when delegates at Municipal level will nominate candidates for provincial assemblies and deputies to the National Assembly of the People s Power. All is ready for the delegates (council members) recently elected to nominate the 1,815 seats contested, 614 of them for the National Assembly, said the secretary of the National Electoral Commission (CEN), Tomas Amaran. Until now preparation is marching as planned, said the official as he explained that even in the eastern part of the island everything is ready for the process that will renovate provincial governments and the national parliament. If elections were to be held tomorrow, he added, the provinces of Granma, Holguin , Santiago de Cuba , Guantánamo and Las Tunas, as well as Camaguey would do alright, in spite of being recently affected by floods that left 500 million dollars in losses. Those who result nominated today will be submitted to the scrutiny of their neighbors in the municipal level or district, according to the electoral law in force since 1992 that gives the right to vote to those over 16 years of age and those who have not been judicially incapacitated. Nominees are about half of those who were already elected for the 169 municipal governments, after being selected by more than 96.49 percent of the 8.1 million of electors voting last October. Over 200 thousand citizens will directly support the polls as electoral authorities from national to district level, said Amaran. (Cubaminrex-PL)
Preparations for Second Stage of Cuban General Elections Right on Track: Alarcon CUBA , Noviembre 27 de 2007.- The president of the Cuban National Assembly (Parliament), Ricardo Alarcon de Quesada, said that the recently formed municipal assemblies are working very hard in the drawing up of the lists of candidates for the second stage of the national general elections, scheduled for January 20, 2008. During a visit to the municipality of San Cristobal, in the westernmost province of Pinar del Rio, Alarcon described the recently concluded process of election of delegates to municipal assemblies as one of the best ever held on the island and added that the municipal government bodies are currently working in the nomination of candidates for provincial assemblies and the National Parliament. According to the Cuban Constitution, these municipal bodies are in charge of drawing up the lists of candidates who will or will not be elected by the people at the polls next January. According to reports from the National Commission of Candidatures, published by Granma newspaper, the list of candidates - including the recently elected municipal delegates - will include more than 55,000 citizens of which 614 will be elected as members of the national Parliament while 1,291 will be chosen as provincial delegates for a five-year period. The drawing-up of the list began last September with the nominations by provincial committees of the Cuban Workers' Confederation (CTC) and grass-root organizations such as the Committees in Defense of the Revolution ( CDR ), the Cuban Women's Federation (FMC), the National Association of Small Farmers (ANAP), the Federation of High School Students (FEEM) and the Federation of University Students (FEU). (Cubaminrex-Cuban News Agency)
Cuba Prepares General Elections CUBA, November 27, 2007.- Cuba is adjusting the mechanisms to successfully hold the second stage of general elections, National Election Commission (CEN) Vice President Ruben Perez Rodriguez said on Monday. Starting on Tuesday and for two days, elections authorities throughout the country will take part in a preparatory seminar to tune up the organization of the process, Perez pointed out. He added that the automated information system and material supplies will be tested in all territories and immediate tasks would be carried out to guarantee the good work at polling stations. According to the Council of State's call, Cubans will elect the delegates to all 14 People's Power Provincial Assemblies and the members of Parliament. They will be nominated on December 2 by 15,236 municipal delegates elected during the first stage of general elections in October, when more than 96 percent of voting age people cast their vote. Perez noted that on December 3, the photos and biographies of the candidates would be published, so that voters can know them better. He added that in December, the CEN would update the electoral rolls that will be used on January 20, 2008. Cuba's general elections were announced on July 9. (Cubaminrex-PL)
Cuban Vice President Announces Second Stage of General Elections CUBA , November 20, 2007.- Cuba 's Vice President Raul Castro Ruz announced the call of the country's council of state for the election of delegates to the Provincial Assemblies of the People's Power and deputies to the national parliament. The date of the elections was set for January 20th, 2008 and it is part of the general election process that began in July 9, 2007. Elected candidates will be part of the governmental bodies for a five-year term. The announcement was made four days after the setting up of the municipal assemblies which closes the first part of the general elections, in which more than 96 percent of the Cuban voters went to the polls, according to official reports. (Cubaminrex-Cuban News Agency)
More Women in Cuban Assemblies CUBA , November 21, 2007.- Cuban women have an important presence in posts for president and vice president of the Peoples' Power Municipal Assemblies compared to the previous mandate, Granma newspaper reports Wednesday. After creating those bodies in the country's 169 municipalities, women have been presidents in 32 of them, and vice presidents in 48, the daily stated. National Electoral Commission secretary Tomas Amaran told the publication that in the period started in 2005 and concluded five days ago, about 25 women were presidents and 33 vice presidents. The daily referred to the work carried out by 106 presidents and 68 vice presidents of the Municipal Assemblies, who have been re-elected in their posts for another two-year and a half term. Another outstanding fact is the education of the 338 women elected, of which 269 are university graduates and the rest high school graduates, Amaran said. The Council of State established Tuesday that elections of provincial delegates and deputies to the National Assembly for a five-year term will be January 20, 2008. This will be the second stage of general elections called July 9, after a first stage held in October, attended by over 96 percent of Cuban voters. (Cubaminrex-PL)Cuban Parliament President Extols Cuban Democracy CUBA November 17, 2007.- Cuban Parliament President Ricardo Alarcon highlighted the strengthening of democracy in Cuba with the setting up Friday of 169 Municipal Assemblies of the People's Power (local governments) for a new period of two and a half years. Alarcon attended the inauguration of the Municipal Assembly in Plaza de la Revolucion Municipality , which took place Friday at Havana University . At hand during the ceremony were Vice President of the Cuban Council of State, Carlos Lage; Vice President of the National Electoral Commission, Ruben Rodriguez; and President of the Municipal Election Commission, Jorge Victor Ramiro. After noting the importance of the process, Alarcon pointed out that the efforts to improve, polish and boost proficiency and representation within the People's Power system maintains it as a true expression of the will and interests of the people. The municipal assemblies are superior authority bodies of the Cuban state. They direct the economic and social activities for the benefit of inhabitants in their respective jurisdiction. (Cubaminrex-RHC)Cuba Municipal Runoffs Successful CUBA , October 29, 2007.- Cuban electoral authorities termed successful the municipal runoff elections, with massive participation of those called to vote. According to preliminary figures, over one million people over 16 and with legal capacity to vote cast their ballots in only two hours. National Electoral Commission (CEN) vice president Ruben Perez stated in a news conference that figure represents 41.3 percent of over two million and a half Cubans called to vote last Sunday. Perez said that polling stations opened at 7:00 local time, further evidence of the Cuban people's organizing capacity and discipline. The runoffs were to elect 3,028 delegates to the Municipal Assemblies of the People's Power, and complete 15,236 who will form those local government structures. The electoral machinery was reactivated in 167 of 169 municipalities of the country, where there was a tie or neither candidate scored 50 percent plus one of the votes. In the first round, 96.49 percent of 8,176,085 Cubans voted, the CEN reported. The electoral law establishes those elected delegates form half of the 14 National and Provincial Assemblies, then the second stage of the current electoral process, with date still undefined, will be carried out. (Cubaminrex-PL)
Candidate Biographies and Photos for Municipal Elections CUBA, 29 September, 2007.- The photographs and biographies of the candidates for Cuba's October 21 local elections will be posted in public places this weekend in voting districts in all of the country's 169 municipalities. This step in Cuba 's electoral process gives voters an opportunity to learn more about the candidates to help them make their choice for the best representative. More than 37,000 nominees are competing throughout the country with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 8 candidates per voting district. A candidate must receive 50 percent plus 1 vote to be elected. If no candidate in a given district gets such a majority on the first round of voting, a second run off election will take place on October 28. (Cubaminrex-Granma)
CUBA , September 26, 2007.- The process of nomination of candidates as delegates for the Peoples' Power Municipal Assemblies concludes Wednesday in Cuba , a prior step to the island's general elections. According to the electoral calendar, the elections for municipal delegates will be held on October 21, with runoffs scheduled for October 28. Preliminary statistics reveal an increase of women and young people postulated, compared to the 2005 process. Members of polling stations must be appointed before the end of this month, to guide the process and count votes. Photos and biographies of candidates to delegate for municipal assemblies, the only promotion legally allowed, will be published in public places this weekend. To vote in Cuba is a constitutional right and people over 16 are automatically included in the electoral rolls, except the mentally ill or those serving prison sentences, even when on parole. (Cubaminrex-PL) Cuba Elections: Parliamentary Candidates Selection Process Begins CUBA, September 17, 2007.- As the elections process continues in Cuba, workers organisations, student groups, women's groups, agricultural and neighbourhood organisations begin meeting Monday to start selecting their candidates for provincial assemblies and parliament. Cuban newspaper Granma said that these meetings will conclude by the end of the month, when the nominations process will be finalised at municipal level. According to Cuban electoral law, fifty per cent of representatives in provincial assemblies and parliament must be delegates elected at local level by the population. (Cubaminrex-RHC)
Candidate Nomination Process on Course Across the Island CUBA, September 10, 2007.- The first week of nomination assemblies to choose candidates for Cuba's October 21 municipal elections took place smoothly around the country, said Maria Esther Reus, president of the National Electoral Commission (CEN). The election official told the press that attendance to the meetings has been high (83 percent) and 4,900 candidates have already been chosen. Reus said the CEN members are visiting the different municipalities and so far have a favorable opinion of preparations made by the local commissions in each voting district and the participation at the nomination meetings. By September 26, each voting district must nominate a minimum of two and a maximum of eight candidates for the People's Power Municipal Assembly (city council). To date, 29 percent of the candidates are women and 15.9 percent are 35-years-old or under. However, it is still too early to project any final figures as they represent only 8 percent of the 50,700 assemblies to be held. "We hope people will continue to turn out to nominate the most qualified and capable candidates for local government," said the CEN president. (Cubaminrex-RHC)
CUBA , September 10, 2007.- Maria Esther Reus, President of the National Electoral Commission (CEN), assured that preparations for the municipal elections in October are going satisfactorily with popular support. In declarations cited by Granma daily news Reus said voters enthusiastically supported the assemblies a week before nomination of candidates start, in which about 4900 candidates have already been proposed. The leader highlighted the very high average of participation (83 percent) in neighborhood meetings, which propose from two to eight citizens to represent them at the Municipal Assemblies of the Popular Power (local governments) for two years and a half. The CEN Members have been able to establish the preparation of the electoral commission in every constituency. The also Minister of Justice revealed that from the total proposed 29 percent are women and 15.9 under 35 years old. After this process concludes Cubans will continue to October's elections by secret and direct vote, of those considered most suitable to represent them in the highest authority of the nation. (Cubaminrex-PL)
Cuba Ready for General Elections CUBA, August 30, 2007.- The Cuban electoral process will have the necessary informatics support to facilitate the work of the electoral commissions and to gather information generated during the elections. The Desoft Firm belonging to the Informatics and Communication Ministry will be in charge of applying the Elena 2007 system in order to process information of those nominated, the results of the dynamic test and the electoral count during the elections. It will also include the results of the elections and the creation of the municipal and provincial assemblies and the Cuban parliament. The experience of three decades of elections will allow the use of other means to transmit general information. General elections were convened in Cuba last July 9th through a decree issued by the Council of State beginning on October 21st with the renewal of the municipal assemblies. During the second stage, still without a definite date, the provincial delegates and the deputies to the National Assembly will be elected. During the previous elections held in 2005, over 8 million people went to the polls, representing 96.6 percent of the registered voters. Electoral authorities confirmed that everything is ready for the nomination of candidates to the municipal assemblies which will kick off in September in community meetings. (Cubaminrex-RHC)
Cuban Official Says Election Airtight CUBA, August 24, 2007.- Maria Esther Reus, president of the National Electoral Commission, said the preparatory process of next general elections in the island is ruled by a tight program. The official told press at the end of a meeting on the process held Thursday in the island's eastern province of Santiago de Cuba, that October 21 is the date to elect delegates to the Peoples' Power municipal assemblies in the island. The Cuban general elections were called on July 9, through a decree from the Council of State, which also specifies that there will be a second time to elect provincial delegates and deputies to the National Assembly. Electoral commissions on all levels were created after that announcement, and their members are currently receiving intensive training before starting September 1 meetings to nominate candidates for delegates. According to Reus, this process, without the mediation of any political party, is characterized this year by over 15,200 electoral areas in the country's all municipalities. Also justice minister, she stated among other priorities is the update of electoral registers, to define the real number of voters. (Cubaminrex-PL)
Electoral Commission Volunteers Begin Training CUBA, August 15, 2007.- In the run-up to Cuba's October elections, training began across the country for volunteers who will help to run the elections at a local level. Electoral commissions are an essential part of the democratic process in Cuba. Made up of volunteers from all walks of life, the commissions direct the electoral process in municipalities and electoral districts. Starting on September 1st, the first task of these volunteer groups will be to organise neighbourhood meetings where residents nominate local candidates, without the intervention of the Communist Party. The first phase of elections will elect delegates to municipal assemblies, and the second phase will elect delegates and deputies to the National Assembly of the People's Power. (Cubaminrex-RHC)
District Electoral Commissions to Be Announced CUBA, July 19, 2007.- The district electoral commissions will be constituted in Cuba from July 19-22 as part of the 13th process of general elections of the Cuban municipal, provincial and national assemblies or Parliament. Rubén Pérez, Vice President of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), said that more than 15,200 district commissions will be chosen and they will be either ordinary or special commissions. He noted that the number of electoral districts varies in each municipality depending on the number its inhabitants and added that, on this occasion, there will be 127 commissions more than in the 12th electoral process in 2005. The members of the these commissions will receive, from July 22nd until August 2nd, a training course in which they will learned about all the details of the electoral program, about general topics of the electoral law and about Law 248, which deals with the system of identification and register of electors. The 13th process of general elections is divided into two parts. The first phase will be the election of delegates to municipal assemblies that will take place on October 21st and 28th. Then, there will be a second phase to choose delegates to the provincial assemblies and to the National Assembly or Parliament. (Cubaminrex-AIN)
All Provincial Election Commissions Constituted CUBA , July 14, 2007.- Two hundred and ten authorities have officially joined the organization and direction of the general elections in Cuba , when the 14 provincial electoral commissions were sworn in during solemn ceremonies. According to what is prescribed by Law, these people were designated by the National Electoral Commission, and assumed their responsibilities before the Presidents of the Provincial Assemblies of the Peoples Power. Maria Esther Reus, the President of the National Electoral Commission, at a meeting with mass media reporters after the ceremony in the City of Havana , said that beginning today, the 169 Municipal Electoral Commission will be created, and up to the 22nd of July the ones at district electoral level will also be organized. Until the first days of August, she added, we will be focusing our attention on the seminars to the members of the electoral district commissions; something of special importance, because we are dealing with thousands of citizens from a very widespread background, who in a short time must acquire and standardize their knowledge about electoral matters. Close to a million citizens, the official said, will be having a direct participation in the preparations for these general elections that will end next year: some of them as electoral authorities and others working in the required logistics support . (Cubaminrex-Granma)
Raul Castro Calls Cuban Elections CUBA, July 10, 2007.- Cuba's First Vice President Raul Castro has set the date for municipal general elections as October 21st with a second round scheduled for October 28th. This marks the start of the electoral process in Cuba. The First Vice President also said that elections to the national legislature -- the National Assembly of the People's Power -- held once every five years, would be held at a date to be announced. Cuba's municipal and provincial bodies elect candidates for the National Assembly. Then, in March 2008, the elected legislature will select the 31 members of the Council of State, which in turn will choose Cuba's president and chief of state. Cuba's Communist Party does not officially name candidates for the electoral process. And candidates to the local elections do not have to be members of the Party. According to a note published by the Granma news daily, it was also announced that the Council of State has chosen the members of the National Electoral Commission to be be presided over by Justice Minister María Ester Reus González.(Cubaminrex-RHC)
Cuba Appoints Election Commission CUBA , July 10, 2007.- Cuba starts the first steps towards general elections slated for this year in the country, announcing members of the National Electoral Commission (CNE). The appointment, signed by First Vice President Raul Castro, also included Ruben Perez Rodriguez, as vice president, and Tomas Amaral Diaz, as CNE secretary. Other appointees were Juan Aizpurua Rodriguez, Miguel Perez Martin, Colonel Leonides Rodriguez Rojas, Manuel Rios Medina, Guido Urrutia Valdes, Gisela Bell Heredia, Arnel Medina Cuenca, Juan Mendoza Diaz and Jose Flores del Sol. The October 29, 1992 Electoral Law, in its article 21, establishes that once the call to polls is announced, the Council of State appoints the CNE, and this entity sets the terms in which the provincial, municipal and district electoral commissions must be constituted. The first round of the elections will be held October 21, and in places where candidates fail to get over 50 percent of votes, there will be a second round a week later. The date for the election of provincial delegates and deputies to the National Assembly will be set later. (Cubaminrex-PL)
By Angel Rodriguez Alvarez This coming October, Cuba will hold elections -established by law- which will be dedicated to the voting for representatives of "People's Power:" What do these elections consist of and how much does the public participate in them? The first stage is the formation of the electoral commissions made up of respected residents in each community; they take on this responsibility voluntarily and without receiving any remuneration whatsoever. Electoral registration is then conducted, guaranteeing that inscription is universal, automatic and free for all citizens over 16 years of age who are not invalidated by reasons of mental health. What is most important is the moment of nominating candidates to be district delegates. They are directly proposed by community residents or by their neighbors in public assemblies. In each district a minimum of two nominations are required. The electoral colleagues, as well as the commissions, are made up by citizens of the community, whom take on the task voluntarily and without any money in return. The population votes massively. In the previous 12 elections, the lowest number of registered voters was in 1976, with 95.2 percent. At the end of the voting, the vote count is immediately carried out publicly in the Electoral College itself. The voters themselves participate in this process, as well as journalists and foreign visitors. On what other principles are the electoral system based? -The right of citizens to intervene in the State's leadership, directly or through their elected representatives who make up the People's Power. -In the case of delegates to the municipal assemblies, citizens vote for only one candidate or none. When it deals with the provincial delegates and deputies, a voter can vote for all, various, one or none. -There are no political parties. -All those elected can run again, meet with electors to inform them of their work and can be revoked. -The delegates and deputies are not professional politicians and maintain their normal working activities. -Members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and other armed forces institutions have the right to be elected. In synthesis the Cuban electoral system constitutes a genuine expression of participatory democracy through which the people nominate and elect their representatives.
Elections, Cuban Style (Part 1) By Angel Rodriguez Alvarez The Cuban electoral system is one of the least studied outside the island, yet is probably one of the most "interpreted" by politicians and analysts around the planet. That is why it is important now, with the new elections upcoming, to present some of the features and elements which allow its fair evaluation. What were the distinctive characteristics of the Cuban electoral legislation before the triumph of the Revolution in 1959? Cuban legislation over the 57 years of the country's existence as a neo-colonial republic of the US was characterized by frequent modifications. The first electoral law, very simple and limited, was designed by the US occupation government and served to elect the delegates to the 1901 Constituent Assembly and to guide the first presidential elections. In 1903 a new law was dictated and modified in 1908 during the second US intervention by a consultative commission headed by General Enoch Crowder, who also headed the team which represented various political parties that drafted the 1919 electoral code. Later, a number of modifications were introduced and new electoral laws were approved as a consequence of the instability that characterized Cuba's so-called republican stage. Between 1940 and 1959, an electoral system that was guided through the established orders of the 1940 Constitution complied, without exception, amidst pressures of the groups in power, while hamstrung with deceitful and fraudulent procedures. On what is the current Cuban electoral system legally based? The first electoral law issued after the January 1, 1959 revolution was number 1305. Adopted in 1976 as a part of the Socialist Constitution approved that same year, it guided the elections of that period and in 1979. In 1982, the National Assembly of the People's Power (Parliament)
adopted law number 37, which was applied in elections held until 1992.
Starting at that moment, representatives were only elected directly and
for a period of two and a half years; delegates to the districts that
made up municipal assemblies elected the members of the provincial According to the constitutional reform of 1992, the direct vote was established to elect the provincial delegates and deputies. The term for municipal delegates was maintained at two and a half years and at five years for provincial representatives as well as the deputies. Electoral laws number 72 and 92, adapted later to constitutional reform that same year, responds to the need to adjust the electoral system to new conditions as recommended during the 4th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party and in solving challenges which appeared during the application of the previous law. What main aspects that regulate the Cuban electoral law? -Election of delegates to the municipal and provincial assemblies and deputies of the nation. -The constitution of assemblies and the election of there respective presidents and vice presidents. -The constitution of the National Assembly and the election of its president, vice president and secretary as well as the members of the Council of State. -Ways to cover the vacant elected positions. -Voting in referendums. -Objectives and functions of the Candidates Commissions. What is the role of the Cuban Communist Party in the electoral process? Article 5 of the Socialist Constitution approved in 1976 by more than
95 percent of the population over 16 years of age, establishes that the
Cuban Communist Party-- an organization based on Marxism-Leninism and
is follower of the ideas of the island's national Hero Jose Marti-- is
the vanguard organization of the Cuban nation and orients "common The Party is not an entity that is part of the electoral process. The Party does not propose nor elect candidates; as a political body, it does not intervene in competitive elections, but serves as the organizer and guarantor of transparency and true democracy in the process. Its main function is to unite and orientate the people and its institutions in favor of the social and political transformations that help in the construction of a social system contrary to capitalism and its brutal exploitation. In Cuba, the people nominate and elect their representatives, taking into account the individual social merits of its citizens and not their party affiliation. (To be continued in Part 2).
|