Cubans overwhelmingly adopt new constitution

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Millions of Cubans overwhelmingly approved a new constitution during an island wide referendum on Sunday.

About 84 percent of some 6.8 million people who participated in the historic referendum on Sunday voted to ratify the new constitution, while more than 0.7 million Cubans, 7.6 percent of those who voted, marked their ballot against the constitution.

In adopting the new constitution, Cubans approved a series of reforms which recognize owning private property and foreign investment, among other issues which are critical to the country's development.

The total number of Cubans who cast their ballots is about 7.8 million, meaning the new constitution will be ratified, said Alina Balseiro, head of the National Electoral Commission while announcing the preliminary results during a press conference on February 25.

The new charter affirms the further development of the island's socialist system under a new constitutional model that will push forward social and economic changes.

After casting his ballot, Juan Francisco Quintero and investment specialist told CGTN that "the new constitution will help the projects and wishes of the Cuban people come true under a legal platform."

The new charter also empowers municipal government administrations and establishes a prime minister's office, while it imposes age and office term limits for president.

Cuban political analyst Rafael Hernandez said that the approval of the new Carta Magna constitutes a step forward.

"It is very positive because it is renovating what some political scientists call the social contrast between society and the state. I think it is more than that, I think it is basically the renovation of the citizens' conditions, the role of the citizens, while this emphasis on the role of the citizens is a fundamental part of this constitution," said Hernandez.

(Cover image: Alina Balseiro, head of the national electoral commission, announces preliminary results of constitutional referendum at the press conference, February 25. /CGTN Photo)