Cuba Election: Voters cast ballots for National Assembly before change in presidency

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It's election time in Cuban as well. Citizens there have cast their ballots for a new parliament: The National Assembly of People's Power. Raul Castro is one of the candidates, but he plans to step down as president, as the new assembly meets for the first time next month. As Michael Voss reports from Havana, Cuba is about to undergo a major generational change in its political leadership.

More than eight million Cubans are expected to vote in Sunday's elections. There are two separate ballots, one for provincial deputies, the other for the National Assembly. Of the 605 Parliamentary seats being contested, there is only one pre-selected candidate for each seat.

Nevertheless, there is a real sense of anticipation. When the new National Assembly meets on April 19, it will select a new president. Raul Castro has announced that he's stepping down. The man seen here beside him, 57-year-old First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel, is expected to take over. Castro will stay on, though, as head of the Communist Party.

The makeup of the new national assembly will also mark a generational change. According to the official newspaper Granma, 90 percent of the candidates were born after the revolution. The average age is 49, and the majority are first-time candidates.

JULIO CESAR DIAZ SPORTS INSTITUTE EMPLOYEE "I think these changes are good, They will help improve our system while at the same time supporting our revolution and all our achievements. These we will never renounce."

KATIUSKA PONCE SELF-EMPLOYED HAIRDRESSER "We, as the younger generation must help and be part of the work developed since 1959 revolution till now."

MICHAEL VOSS HAVANA "Elections in Cuba are not about issues or personalities. There is no campaigning or rallies or TV spots. Instead, each candidate has a one-page biography posted in front of the polling stations."

The Cuban authorities say this creates a level playing field because voters don't depend on which candidate has the largest financial contributions in order to win.

Whoever becomes the next president faces major challenges. Cuba's economy is struggling, state wages are low, and it can no longer rely on aid from its crisis hit ally Venezuela. How the new administration responds is something many will be watching. Michael Voss, CGTN, Havana.