MID-TERM VOTE

Cuban elections during historic times

Some 88.3% of eligible voters cast ballots during the first round of mid-term elections, on April 19, to select delegates to Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power
Author: Livia Rodriguez Delis | livia@granma.cu
april 21, 2015 09:04:24

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Juvenal Balán

This April 19, Cubans participated in another historic event reflective of the times. More than 7.5 million voters, 88.3% of eligible voters, exercised their right to vote to reaffirm their commitment to the future of the Revolution, on a day when the country also celebrated the 54th anniversary of Cuba’s victory over the U.S. backed invasion at Playa Girón, on the Bay of Pigs.
Alina Balseiro, president of the National Electoral Commission (CEN), presented preliminary results to the press, assessing the vote as satisfactory, with 90% of the ballots ruled valid, 4.54% submitted blank and 4.9% considered invalid.
She reported that 11,425 delegates were elected during this first round, having won over 50% of the vote as required, while 1,164 constituencies will return to the polls April 26 for a second round vote, since no candidate reached the necessary percentage.
Balseiro noted that the number of female delegates rose to 34.87% of the total and that 14.95% were youths, while 54.87% of current delegates were reelected.
She emphasized that only 59.24% of those elected to the Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power are members of the Communist Party of Cuba, while 6.75% are members of the Young Communist League, saying, “This demonstrates that political affiliation is not required to be a delegate.”
More than 24,600 polling stations were established for the elections, with 20,000 young people serving as observers, of special relevance during the public count of the vote, also witnessed by members of the community, as any interested party has this right.

Raúl casts his vote
President Raúl Castro Ruz exercised his right to vote on Sunday, April 19, in the elections held across all of Cuba to select delegates to Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power.

Author: Leticia Martínez Hernández | internet@granma.cu

april 20, 2015 09:04:42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Estudio Revolución

President Raúl Castro Ruz exercised his right to vote on Sunday, April 19, in the elections held across all of Cuba to select delegates to Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power, a day which served as well to commemorate the 54th anniversary of the country’s victory at Playa Girón on the Bay of Pigs.

Upon arriving at the polling station in the Havana municipality of Playa, Raúl conversed with members of the constituency electoral board, emphasizing the importance of these elections in which Cubans elected their representatives to local governmental bodies, fundamental to the country’s political system.

After voting, Raúl chatted with elementary school students, who guarded the ballot box throughout the day, about their studies, what grade they were in, and what they hoped to do as adults. He asked about the length of their turns guarding the ballot box, and how many years they had to wait before voting themselves. Amidst smiles and joking, several photos of the students with Raúl were snapped.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Estudio Revolución

As he left the polling station, the President talked with a group of neighbors waiting to greet him.

Fidel exercises his right to vote
Around 12:40 this afternoon, the ballot bearing Fidel’s vote arrived at polling station no.1 in the Havana municipality of Plaza’s constituency no.13

Author: Arlin Alberty Loforte | internet@granma.cu
april 19, 2015 16:04:25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Alex Castro

Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz exercised his right to vote in the mid-term elections being held today in Cuba to select delegates to Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power, the same day Cuba’s victory over imperialism at Playa Girón is commemorated.

Around 12:40 this afternoon, the ballot bearing Fidel’s vote arrived at polling station no.1 in the Havana municipality of Plaza’s constituency no.13. – placed within an envelope, and appropriately folded, to respect his right to a secret vote.

Fidel was visited at his home by a member of the constituency election board who was responsible for transporting his ballot to the polling station, to be deposited in the ballot box, as is stipulated by the country’s Electoral Law, for those who have the capacity to vote, but whose physical condition makes difficult their attendance at the polling station, whenever the citizen makes the request.

Carmen Llópiz Casadevall, president of the polling station no. 1 electoral board in Constituency no.13, located in the El Carmelo Popular Council district, to whom the ballot was delivered, deposited Fidel’s vote in the ballot box.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Alex Castro

Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, appears on the constituency’s registry as voter number 13 among members of the Committee for the Defense of the Revolution no.13, who exercise the right to vote at this site.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Jorge Luis González