For the first time since 1959, governors and deputy governors were elected in Cuba. A new Constitution, proposed by President Miguel Díaz-Canel and approved last year, established a Provincial Government of People’s Power in each province. The constitutional reform process began in June 2018 and ended with the approval of the new Constitution in April last year.
What is in the new constitution?
According to the new constitution, each province will have a Provincial Government, formed by a Governor and a Provincial Council. And, as a representative of the State, elected candidates will have the “fundamental mission of the economic and social development of his/her territory, in accordance with the general objectives of the country, and act as coordinator between the central structures of the State and the municipalities, thus contributing to the harmonization of the interests of the province and its municipalities.”
The Governor is the highest executive-administrative post in his/her province. In addition, he/she answers to the National Assembly of People’s Power, the Council of State, the Council of Ministers and the Provincial Council, to which he/she renders accounts and reports on his/her management.
Who is Eligible for this position?
To be governor or vice governor, you must be a Cuban citizen by birth and not have another citizenship, have reached 30 years of age, reside in the province you want to contest for and enjoy full civil and political rights.
How Are They Elected?
The governor and vice governor are elected by the delegates of the corresponding municipal assemblies of People’s Power, for the period of five years and in accordance with the procedure established by law.
The Elections in Numbers
There was a 99.04% voter turnout of Cuban delegates in the elections. The President of the National Electoral Council (CEN), Alina Balseiro, announced in a press conference that, of the total of 12,363 delegates to Municipal Assemblies, 12,244 were present at the 167 polling stations and 100% of these deposited their ballots in the ballot box.
Those elected will be sworn into office within the next 21 days.
