Cubans overwhelmingly ratify new socialist constitution

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Cubans have overwhelmingly ratified a new constitution that enshrines the one-party socialist system as irrevocable while instituting modest economic and social changes, according to the national electoral commission.

Preliminary results showed 84.4 percent of the 8.7 million potential voters participated in the Sunday referendum, said Alina Balseiro Gutierrez, president of the commission, at a Havana press conference on Monday.

She said 86.85 percent of voters ratified the charter, nine percent opposed ratification and 4.5 percent spoiled or left ballots blank.

By comparison, in 1976 when the current constitution was ratified, 99.02 percent of voters in a 98 percent turnout reportedly ratified and just 54,000 were opposed.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez (2nd L) speaks to press after casting his vote at a polling station for the constitutional referendum in Havana, February 24, 2019. /VCG Photo

There are no independent observers of Cuban elections, however, citizens may observe the count at their precincts.

Scattered local reports on social media seemed to somewhat confirm the results.

Cuba's best-known dissident and pioneer blogger, Yoani Sanchez, who runs an online newspaper from a barrio known for its support of the government, wrote she braved insults and yelling to witness the count in her precinct of 400 yes votes, 25 no votes and 4 blank ballots.

A report from a district in central Villa Clara province had the new constitution ratified by 414 votes versus 66 opposed, and another from a district in westernmost Pinar del Rio reported 298 yes votes and 18 no votes.

Tourists gather in front of the National Theatre which displays a banner that reads in Spanish: "New Constitution, of all and for all", in Havana, February 18, 2019. /VCG Photo

Debate over the constitution has dominated Cuba's politics for months, with the government arguing it represents both continuity of former leader Fidel Castro's policies and adaptation to today's demands and opponents insisting it is a continuation of Communist party rule.

There are important changes in the new constitution that reflect the gradual opening of the Caribbean island nation since the fall of the Soviet Union.

There are references to markets and recognition of private property, foreign investment, small businesses, gender identity, the internet, the right to legal representation upon arrest and habeas corpus.

The new constitution would also restructure government, adding a prime minister and setting term limits for the president, among other changes.

Source(s): AFP