Despite persistent rains, more than 95 per cent of voters turned out for Sunday’s balloting to elect members of Cuba’s provincial legislatures and national parliament.

An hour before the polls closed, the national Electoral Commission president, Maria Esther Reus told the press that more than 8.1 million persons had already voted, according to reports monitored from the Daily Gramma.

Reus evaluated elections as positive and expressed satisfaction with the enthusiasm of the population and the discipline of the election workers, which resulted to the smooth flow of voting information at all levels.

Cuba’s top election official announced that the preliminary election results would be forthcoming on Monday afternoon. She said that data would show how many voted, the number of invalid ballots, including those either blank or spoiled, and the number of people who choose to vote for candidates selectively or for the entire slate.

After Sunday’s vote the Cuban electoral process now enters its final phase; the setting up of the provincial and national parliaments and the election of their respective leaders.

In the provinces, the newly elected representatives must elect a president and vice president by a secret ballot.

In the case of the national parliament, the legislators will elect a president, vice president and secretary of the legislature as well as the president, first vice presidents, vice presidents, secretary and other members of the Council of State.