Cubans have headed to the polls to vote on a bundle of measures that would legalise homosexual marriage even because the nation wrestles with a deepening financial disaster.
If permitted, the 100-page “household code” would put Cuba on the vanguard of progressive social coverage in Latin America, legalising same-sex marriage and civil unions, permitting same-sex {couples} to undertake kids, and selling equal sharing of home rights and duties between women and men.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who walked along with his spouse to vote only a few blocks from their house within the Havana suburb of Siboney, informed reporters the code abolishes prejudices and taboos which have been ingrained in Cuban society.
“My expectation is that a lot of the inhabitants will vote ‘sure’,” Mr Diaz-Canel stated.
“However no matter whether or not ‘sure’ or ‘no’ wins… the favored debate that has been generated has contributed to our society.”
The code, which has undergone 25 drafts, practically 80,000 city hall-style conferences and 300,000 ideas from the general public, is anticipated to attract hundreds of thousands of Cubans to the polls.
The measure requires greater than 50 per cent of votes forged on Sunday to turn out to be legislation.
Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz Canel says he expects a lot of the nation’s inhabitants will vote ‘sure’ within the referendum. Supply: AP / Ramon Espinosa
Most prior poll initiatives in Cuba have been overwhelmingly permitted however an financial disaster that has led to lengthy strains for meals, medication and gas has raised the potential of a protest vote in opposition to the federal government.
“We’ve to get used to the truth that on such advanced points, the place there’s a range of standards… there could also be individuals who vote to punish (the federal government),” Mr Diaz-Canel stated.
“That can also be reliable.”
Sunday’s vote would be the first of its form since cellular web was legalised in 2018, which has let dissenting views unfold extra extensively.
There are not any unbiased exterior observers of Cuban elections however residents could observe the rely at their precincts instantly following the vote.
The federal government flooded TV and radio in latest weeks with spots celebrating range and inclusion to advertise the code.
“This code makes everybody equal,” stated Jose Antonio Fernandez, a 73-year-old retired Havana resident who voted in favour of the measure on Sunday morning.
A person and a toddler stroll previous a banner that’s a part of the ‘Sure’ marketing campaign within the referendum on the household code, in Havana, Cuba. Supply: EPA / Yander Zamora
Some social conservatives – together with the Roman Catholic Church and evangelicals, see issues in another way, objecting to points together with homosexual marriage and complaining that authorities management of the media has drowned out opposing views.
Havana resident Lisandra Samon, 36, stated she voted on Sunday however thought it was onerous to foretell the result.
“The vote will probably be shut… points of this code have divided the opinions of the general public, even households,” she stated.