Cuba
- Boundary Delimitation
- Direct Democracy
- Electoral Management
- Electoral Systems
- Legislative Framework
- Media and Elections
- Parties and Candidates
- Vote Counting
- Voter Education
- Voting Operations
- Voter Registration
Boundary Delimitation
BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
a. Yes
Comments: The number of constituencies is verified for each election
Source: EL: 12
Last updated: 2007-10-31 15:46:37 UTC
BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
a. "Equality" of population
g. Other
Comments: g. A special constituency can be established if a group of people has ti remain for a long time at a specific location.
Source: EL: 12, 13, 14 and 15
Last updated: 2007-11-05 17:50:42 UTC
Direct Democracy
DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:39:38 UTC
DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level?
Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
a. Mandatory referendum
Source: C: 137 EL: 162
Last updated: 2007-11-07 19:07:57 UTC
DD124 If free media access is provided, what are the criteria for allocating broadcast time / printing space?
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:39:38 UTC
DD126 What restrictions or controls, if any, are there on media coverage of the campaign and/or issue during the relevant period?
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:39:38 UTC
DD13 When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level?
Date (yyyy)
Comments: It was the first referendum in Cuba, as it was conducted to approve the Constitution that have been drafted in 1975.
Source: Constitution's Preamble
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:44:11 UTC
DD14 When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:39:38 UTC
DD27 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
a. Constitutional amendments
Source: C: 137 EL: 162
Last updated: 2007-11-07 19:07:57 UTC
DD28 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are optional at the national level?
j. Other (specify)
Comments: The electors can be convoked on any subject as long as the National Assembly of People's Power agree on doing so.
Source: EL: 75
Last updated: 2007-11-07 19:07:57 UTC
DD38 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:39:38 UTC
DD39 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a optional referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:39:38 UTC
DD67 What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to the time period in which an individual/position can be recalled?
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:39:38 UTC
DD70 If a separate ballot to replace an individual who has been recalled takes place, how soon after the recall ballot is it held?
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:39:38 UTC
DD72 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an abrogative referendum (optional)?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:39:38 UTC
DD73 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a rejective referendum (optional)?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:39:38 UTC
DD74 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a citizens' initiative?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:39:38 UTC
DD75 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an agenda initiative?
Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:39:38 UTC
Electoral Management
EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution National Election Commission
b. Full Address Calle 42 esq. 23 No. 2111, Playa, Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba
c. Telephone (53) 7206-6788
e. Email anppci@ceniai.inf.cu
f. Website Address http://www.parlamentocubano.cu/
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Ricardo Alarcón de Quesada
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections Spanish
Comments: The National Election Commission is a temporary electoral management body, whose members are picked by the Council of State. It's President is María Esther Reus González.
Source: http://www.parlamentocubano.cu/
Last updated: 2007-10-30 17:17:27 UTC
EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
c. Local level
Source: EL: 2
Last updated: 2007-10-30 18:25:43 UTC
EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
c. The legislature
Comments: The budget is submitted to the legislature by the Council of Ministers to be discussed and approved.
Source: C: 75, 98
Last updated: 2007-10-30 18:41:22 UTC
EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
c. The legislature
Source: EL: Special dispositions
Last updated: 2007-10-30 18:49:36 UTC
EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
a. For the election period only
Comments: The members assumed their functions on 10 July, 2007.
Source: EL: 19 International IDEA (2006) "Electoral Management Design"
Last updated: 2007-10-30 21:10:10 UTC
EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?
Last updated: 2007-02-21 09:31:22 UTC
EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
Last updated: 2007-02-21 09:31:22 UTC
Electoral Systems
ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
a. Head of State is the Head of Government
Source: C: 74
Last updated: 2007-10-24 15:17:38 UTC
ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
c. Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament
Comments: The Head of Government is chosen from among the members of the legislature.
Source: C: 74
Last updated: 2007-10-24 15:28:03 UTC
ES03 Does the country have a president?
a. Yes
Comments: Fidel Castro Ruz temporarily delegated power to his brother Raúl Castro Ruz on 1 August, 2006.
Last updated: 2007-10-29 16:50:05 UTC
ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
a. One chamber
Comments: The National Assembly of People's Power.
Source: C: 71
Last updated: 2007-10-29 16:20:03 UTC
ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
a. Plurality (FPTP)
d. Two-Round System
Source: EL: 3, 14, 110, 120
Last updated: 2007-10-29 20:29:54 UTC
ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:
Last updated: 2007-10-24 15:17:38 UTC
Legislative Framework
LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
b. Separate legislation
Comments: It was promulgated on 29 October, 1992.
Last updated: 2007-10-29 17:08:17 UTC
LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
c. Local elections
d. Referendums
Source: EL: 2
Last updated: 2007-10-29 18:54:50 UTC
LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary
Source: EL: 5 International IDEA Voter Turnout Website (http://www.idea.int/vt/)
Last updated: 2007-10-30 17:07:26 UTC
Media and Elections
ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:42:30 UTC
ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:42:30 UTC
ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster?
Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:42:30 UTC
ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:42:30 UTC
ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:42:30 UTC
ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:42:30 UTC
ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
e. As agreed by special committee
Comments: The National Electoral Commission allocates those resources.
Source: EL: 171
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:42:30 UTC
ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:42:30 UTC
ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:42:30 UTC
ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:42:30 UTC
ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:42:30 UTC
ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:42:30 UTC
ME59 Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
c. No
Comments: There are no debates at all since the electores choose according to the candidates' biography.
Source: EL: 171
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:37:10 UTC
Parties and Candidates
PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
f. Other
Comments: f) According to law, up to 50% of the Deputies must be delegates chosen in each municipality. Parliamentary candidates are otherwise proposed by nominating assemblies which comprise representatives of workers, youth, women, students and farmers as well as members of the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution. The final list of candidates, which corresponds to the number of seats to be filled, is drawn up by the National Candidature Commission taking into account criteria such as candidates' merit, patriotism, ethical values and revolutionary history.
Source: EL: 87, 91 IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2079.htm
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:34:26 UTC
PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
j. Other
Comments: a) 18 years j) Full possession of political rights for at least five years prior to elections and being a qualified elector
Source: EL: 8, 10 d IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2079.htm
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:34:26 UTC
PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
c. In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
Comments: Any citizen can be candidate, provided that his nomination is backed by the majority of the assistants to the nomination assembly.
Source: EL: 81, 83
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:17:37 UTC
Vote Counting
VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations
Source: EL: 112
Last updated: 2007-11-05 19:36:06 UTC
Voting Operations
VO03 Where can electors vote?
a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Source: EL: 42, 109
Last updated: 2007-11-05 18:30:44 UTC
VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
a. Outside the country voting is not permitted
Source: EL: 6
Last updated: 2007-11-07 18:34:18 UTC
VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
Last updated: 2007-11-05 18:30:44 UTC
VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot
Source: EL: 110
Last updated: 2007-11-05 18:33:01 UTC
Voter Registration
VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
a. 16
Comments: 16 years
Source: EL: 5 IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2079.htm
Last updated: 2007-11-05 18:27:23 UTC
VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
b. Period of Residence
Comments: b) Residence in country for at least two years prior to elections
Source: EL: 6 IPU Parline database: http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2079.htm
Last updated: 2007-11-05 18:27:23 UTC
VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
e. Other
Comments: Local Electoraal Management Body: Municipal Electoral Commission
Source: EL: 26
Last updated: 2007-11-05 18:15:59 UTC
20/05/2008 07:18
