The general elections for this year have already been announced by the Cuban State Council. It’s a process which takes place every five years. However, every 2.5 years, half-way through this term, another partial election take place, on a municipal level only. On this occasion, the 612 member legislature will be selected again (the National Assembly of the People’s Power) and its President, Provincial Parliaments and their presidents, as well as the State Council and its President, who is also the President of the Council of Ministers. That’s why the Cuban President is the Head of State and the Head of Government. And I say “selected” instead of “elected”, because in the Cuban political system, the Cuban people can only choose their District representative. Anyone higher up than this official, up to the President of the Cuba, is either “approved” by a direct vote or it’s these representatives who approve them themselves.
It just so happens that the local delegates are the Cuban leaders with the least decision-making power and with the least resources in their hands, not to say none. It’s worth highlighting the fact that the further removed a Cuban leader is from the direct popular vote, the more power they have and the more resources they handle.
The delegate, who doesn’t even earn an income for their activity as such, is chosen among several candidates and is nominated by his/her neighbors. Something really beautiful, if it were like this at every level. But, the President of the People’s Council (the quivalent to a Mayor), who has a little more power, is chosen by these delegates. Almost always with semi-imposed proposals from above, which are very difficult to reject by voting because it’s done by raising your hand.
Full Article: Will Cuba’s Next Elections be Democratic? – Havana Times.org.