Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Vice President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers, attended the constitution of Villa Clara’s Provincial, and noted to the press that he had observed much humility and commitment among the delegates elected and their leadership, saying that the process had been transparent and serious.
When you live moments like this one, he said, and see the way delegates defend candidates for President and Vice President, that they are persons who have come from among the people and are committed to their aspirations, you feel great pride in being Cuban and working for the Revolution, commented Díaz-Canel, also a member of the Party Political Bureau, adding that the event was evidence of the legitimacy of our democratic system.
He also stated that the coming period will be challenging for the new Assemblies and for the Cuban people, given the complex international conjuncture existent, which has a strong impact on the country’s life. Given these challenges, he said, we must all come together and make the contribution we can.
During the constitution of the Havana Provincial Assembly’s 12th legislature, Mercedes López Acea, first Party secretary in the capital and a Council of State vice president, said that the Assembly is charged with serving for a period during which the Revolution demands the best from every Cuban. That is why, she commented, every day this collective will assume the responsibility of directing, supervising, and demanding that continuing progress is made toward the construction of socialism, in an efficient and sustainable fashion.
“Let us make Havana a more beautiful, orderly, clean city. With our effort and attitudes on a daily basis, we will work tirelessly to rise to the occasion and fulfill the responsibility assigned us by the people,” said Reinaldo García Zapata, reelected as President of the capital’s Provincial Assembly. The session was also attended by Esteban Lazo Hernández, Political Bureau member and President of the National Assembly of People’s Power.
During the constitution of Pinar del Río’s Assembly, Gladys Martínez Verdecia, Party first secretary in the province, indicated that this general election’s results demonstrate the virtues of a patriotic people, who know very well what their vote means.
Cubans, she added, with the strength of our unity have confirmed that we are proud of the great work we have constructed, and intend to perfect it, following the teachings of our national hero José Martí, and of Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro.
Martínez Verdecia congratulated the candidature and electoral commissions, members of polling center boards, the Ministry of Interior’s identification and registry offices, and local People’s Power bodies, for the work done to ensure the quality and transparency of the elections.
In Santiago de Cuba, the people’s mandate was deposited for the first time in the hands of women. Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, a Party Central Committee member elected as President of the Provincial Assembly, said that the confidence shown in her and Vice President Odesa Méndez Medina is an indication of the conquests of the Revolution, ensuring opportunities for women.
Lázaro Expósito Canto, first secretary of the Party in Santiago and also a Central Committee member, called on all to work in unity with the people and remain loyal to the historic leadership of the Revolution.
HOW ARE PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLIES OF PEOPLE’S POWER CONSTITUTED?
Within 15 days following the election of delegates to Provincial Assemblies of People’s Power, on a date indicated by the Council of State, at a site determined by the exiting Provincial Assembly, new members meet on their own right, with their respective certificates of election in hand.
This session is opened under the leadership of the President of the Provincial Electoral Commission, and in order to be held, more than half of the delegates must be present.
The Commission President reports the social composition of the Assembly and verifies that a quorum is present.
The validity of the delegates’ election is declared and the National Anthem intoned. Immediately thereafter, with the delegates standing, a delegate designated by the Electoral Commission President reads the oath, which is ratified by all delegates. The Commission President invites delegates to sign the oath and then declares the Assembly constituted.
WHAT DO THE DELEGATES SWEAR IN THEIR OATH?
1-Remain loyal to the homeland. Respect and ensure respect for the Constitution, the law, and other legal norms.
2- Conduct themselves as a loyal servants of the people and the community, to whose control they are subject.
3- Fulfill the obligations expected of them in accordance with the office to which they were elected.
4- If they, in any way, fail to abide by this oath, those who elected them may demand that they do so.
HOW ARE THE PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT ELECTED?
Once the Provincial Assembly of People’s Power is constituted, its President and Vice President are elected by the delegates, in a secret ballot vote. The proposed candidature includes the two nominated individuals, selected from among the Assembly’s own delegates.
The proposed candidature is presented by the President of the Provincial Candidature Commission, who explains the criteria taken into consideration by this body. Next, the Commission President asks delegates if they would like to replace one or both of the nominations proposed. Replacement of either individual included in the candidature can only be accomplished with a favorable vote of more than a half of the delegates present.
The vote count is conducted by the Electoral Commission. Its President announces the results and declares the President and Vice President elected, if they obtain more than 50% of the valid votes cast. In case of a tie, a new election is conducted.
WHAT ARE THE AUTHORITIES OF PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLIES OF PEOPLE’S POWER?
– Abide by and enforce the law and all dispositions of a general nature adopted by higher state bodies.
– Approve and supervise the economic plan and ordinary budget of the province’s income and expenses, in accordance with policies adopted by relevant national bodies.
– Elect and recall the President and Vice President of the Assembly.
– Designate and replace the Assembly Secretary.
– Participate in the elaboration and supervision of the budget and the state economic plan’s implementation, as related to entities located in the province and subordinated to other authorities, according to the law.
– Direct and supervise the work of the province’s administration, through its working commissions.
– Designate and replace members of the provincial administrative body, as proposed by its President.
– In accordance with principles established by the Council of Ministers, determine the organization, functioning, and tasks of entities charged with carrying out activities in the economic, productive, service, educational, healthcare, cultural, sporting, environmental, and recreational arenas, subordinated to the provincial administration.
– Adopt agreements on administrative issues related to territorial demarcation, which according to law are not the responsibility of Central State Administration or municipal government bodies.
– Approve the creation and organization of People’s Councils as proposed by Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power.
-Within the framework of its authority, revoke decisions adopted by the province’s administration body; or propose revocations to the Council of Ministers, when such decisions have been made on the basis of authority granted by Central State Administration bodies.