Municipal elections in Cuba have record abstention

The municipal elections in Cuba registered a record of abstention, on Sunday, 27. Only 68.58%, representing 5.7 million Cubans, went to the polls, informed the president of the National Electoral Council, Alina Belseiro. This is the lowest percentage since 1976, when the electoral system came into effect. These numbers are preliminary, definitive results should take at least another 48 hours to be announced. In a televised press conference, Alina said that “the results of this election day show our people’s support for their popular representatives and confidence in their revolution.” The illegal opposition campaigned for abstention, given the impossibility of running with candidates favorable to the government and the Communist Party (single), which does not compete, but supervises the elections, to elect 12,427 delegates (councillors). According to Balseiro, “the elections took place as planned, with tranquility, organization, discipline and compliance with the law”. The electoral president informed that, of the ballots deposited in the ballot boxes, 89.11% are valid, 5.22% were blank, and 5.07% were annulled. Blank ballots, or with slogans against the government, which are annulled, are other tactics used by the opposition. These elections initiate an electoral process that will continue with the renewal of the Parliament and will culminate in the presidential elections of 2023. In Cuba, the term is five years, with the possibility of one re-election.

*With information from AFP