Havana (Cuba), November 29: Cubans on Sunday headed to polling stations nationwide to elect the delegates of the municipal assemblies of the People's Power, the main governing body at the local level.
Some 8 million of the country's 11 million population were called to participate in the elections, Cuba's National Electoral Council said.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said this was an opportunity for people to show their support for the island's political system.
"This is a moment of unity, participation and exercise of a real democracy," he said, adding that the election of delegates strengthens the power of people.
In total, more than 26,000 people ran for the district delegates in the Caribbean country after being nominated in public neighborhood meetings.
Over 12,000 delegates will be elected, forming part of Cuba's municipal assemblies of People's Power during the next five years.
Havana resident Jose Raul Ultuzar told Xinhua that the delegates play a fundamental role in seeking solutions to everyday problems affecting the Cuban people.
"The delegates are genuine representatives of their constituencies," he said. "They very much contribute to better communication between local governments and people."
The municipal assemblies of People's Power in Cuba were created in 1976.
Source: Xinhua
