The tours began on February 6, the day after they were nominated, and will end on the eve of the national elections to Parliament, scheduled for March 26.

The electoral campaign is not carried out in Cuba as in other nations. Only the photos and biographies of the candidates are posted in visible places.

The Cuban election model consists of direct meetings with people through visits to businesses, universities, scientific centers, agricultural units, communities, and other social spaces.

These contacts in the country’s 168 municipalities, from the big cities to the most remote places, are part of a process in which the future parliamentarians learn first-hand about the opinions, concerns, doubts, and expectations of the population.

According to Cuba’s Electoral Law, 356 of all 470 lawmakers to the National Assembly will be delegates from their constituency (the grassroots level of Cuba’s government system) and provincial lawmakers. Only 114 (24.2 percent) will be national legislators.

Thus, the “Cuban style” electoral campaign is a way to make this dialogue a significant moment to take the temperature of the social environment and call for the unity that has guaranteed Cubans to move forward in difficult times.

jg/iff/nmr/rc