HAVANA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Cuban electoral authorities on Sunday carried out a trial run of the second stage of the general elections set for March 11.
Around 200,000 people took part in the trial which, according to the National Electoral Commission (CEN), is to test the availability of human and material resources.
Tomas Amaran, vice president of the CEN, told reporters that the test covers the functioning of personnel, logistics, transportation and communication means.
It covers 24,471 polling stations spread in the Caribbean nation, including 143 special facilities installed in hospitals and terminals of trains and buses.
On March 11, over 8 million Cubans, out of a 11.2 million population, are to cast their ballots to elect 605 deputies for the National Assembly of People's Power and 1,265 delegates for 15 provincial assemblies.
Last November, Cuba held suffrages to select 12,515 delegates (councilors) to municipal government assemblies as the first stage of the general elections.
The new legislature of the National Assembly will be constituted on April 19 for a term of five years.
On that day, the deputies should elect through direct and secret vote the new Council of State, including its president.
President Raul Castro, 86, has promised to step aside and make way to the younger generation.
Nevertheless, Castro will continue holding the position of secretary general of the ruling Communist Party of Cuba until 2022.
