CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Cuban Municipal Elections Underway.

Cuba, Feb 26, 2010. - The first 175 nomination assemblies were announced on Wednesday in Cuba as a lead up to the nationwide municipal elections to be held on April 25. The assemblies are the stage where candidates are nominated for the position of municipal representative

The first 175 nomination assemblies were announced on Wednesday in Cuba as a lead up to the nationwide municipal elections to be held on April 25. The assemblies are the stage where candidates are nominated for the position of municipal representative.

During a televised program on the current state of the electoral process, the president of the People’s Power National Assembly (Cuban Parliament), Ricardo Alarcón, said “In Cuba we have the privilege of being able to say that democracy is the authority of the people.”

The elections will cover 10,093 electoral districts under the guidance of more than 78,000 electoral authorities.

“One of the most important moments in the live of our society now begins,” said Alarcón, at the same time he invited international media outlets accredited in Cuba to attend some of the nomination assemblies and write about their experiences.

The president of the National Assembly said that the Cuban people “will exercise a right that billions worldwide do not enjoy.”

Addressing some of the main issues that delegates will be raising for their constituents, Alarcon spoke about the difficulties and material shortages faced by the country as a result of the US blockade of Cuba, worsened by the global economic crisis and added to the problems faced by an underdeveloped country.

“However, these are not the only factors that explain our problems. There are others related to poor organization, lack of control, misappropriation and waste of resources, theft, inefficiencies and poor services.”

Alarcón highlighted that these problems can be solved, despite the prevailing situation of blockade, world crisis and others such as the ever-worsening hurricane seasons related to climate change.

“We need to make a call to break with formulas and remove obstacles,” said Alarcon.

The president of the National Assembly also said that delegates, along with the people, can and need to be part of the solution to the problems affecting their electoral districts.

Also attending the televised program were Ana María Mari Machado, president of the National Electoral Commission, and Jorge Lezcano Pérez, head of Communications at the National Assembly.

They announced that more than 8 million Cubans are registered to vote, and that each electoral district must have a minimum of two delegates and a maximum of eight.

In addition, they made a special call to young people 16 and over to come out and exercise their right to vote, and spoke about the importance that citizens have a good understanding of the work and responsibilities of representatives.

Municipal representatives are not paid for their work and, after being elected, can be elected to become a member of the Council of State. ( Cubaminrex – Juventud Rebelde)

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