[NYTr] Cuban Elections: Exercise in Direct Democracy

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

Cubans Exercise Direct Democracy

by Javier Rodriguez

Havana, Aug 14 (Prensa Latina) Cubans exercise direct democracy at
the very moment they go to the polling stations at their
constituencies, whose number will be the largest ever during upcoming
general elections.

The number of constituencies differs from municipality to municipality
and each of them elects a delegate by direct and secret voting, who
makes up the Municipal Assembly of the People's Power.

This year, considering the growing number of voters and to make it
easier for them to cast their vote, the number of constituencies will
increase to the record of 15,236.

Each of them will comprise a minimum of 200 people and a maximum of
3,000 and the delegate will be elected among the candidates nominated
in the areas that make up the constituency, where up to eight
candidates can be proposed in each of them at neighborhood meetings.

According to the Constitution and pertinent rules, the Municipal
Assemblies that make up the elected delegates must work for efficiency
in production and services.

The delegates must also aim their efforts to meet the people's
economic, educational, cultural and social needs, and promote their
specific participation in initiatives to solve their problems.

In addition, the Municipal Assemblies control and monitor the
activities of the state institutions in their area, as an expression of
the people's participation in the decision-making process at that level.

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