Elections are now underway in Cuba as the nation looks ahead to a post-Castro era. This first round of voting will be for representatives to municipal assemblies. Voters will choose the nation's new president in February, which will bring to an end six decades of rule by the Castros. Over eight million people are registered to vote in polls that come a year after the death of the leader of the Cuban revolution, Fidel Castro. CGTN's Michael Voss reports.

It was more of a festive occasion, celebrating the life of Cuba's former leader Fidel Castro, rather than mourning his demise. Hundreds of students and other Cubans packed the giant steps leading up to the University of Havana on Saturday night. CGTN's Michael Voss reports.

MICHAEL VOSS HAVANA Fidel Castro was a law student here at the University of Havana and this is where he first became involved in radical politics.

Castro was one of the giant political figures of the 20th century. He led the Cuban revolution and ruled the island for more than half a century. The anniversary of Fidel Castro's death coincides with start of Cuba's electoral cycle. Among the senior politicians attending the rally was 57 year old Miguel Diaz-Canel, the man tipped to become the next President of Cuba. On Sunday morning Cubans lined up outside polling stations to vote for their local Municipal authorities. In the coming weeks there will be further elections leading to a new National Assembly or Parliament. When it sits for the first time in February it will select the country's President and Raul Castro has already announced that he will step down.

Vox Pop "My hope is that the revolution is maintained. The historic leaders who fought for the revolution will not be with us. I think the principles that are instilled in the new generation will continue, and we'll preserve the achievements and victories of the Cuban revolution."

Vox Pop "I hope the economy will grow and that some economic and social problems will be solved. We all have those expectations. With luck, this will happen next year."

MICHAEL VOSS HAVANA Campaigning is not allowed in Cuban elections. Instead each candidate has a brief biography posted in front of the polling booth. The authorities say this creates a level playing field because you don't depend on who has the largest financial contributions in order to win.

For the municipal elections there are on average two candidates for each post. By the time the national elections come along there is no choice, one preselected candidate for each seat. Michael Voss CGTN Havana.