Cubans have headed to the polls to vote on a package deal of measures that would legalise homosexual marriage even because the nation wrestles with a deepening financial disaster.
If accredited, 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 obligations between women and men.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who walked along with his spouse to vote just some blocks from their dwelling within the Havana suburb of Siboney, advised reporters the code abolishes prejudices and taboos which have been ingrained in Cuban society.
“My expectation is that many 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 strategies from the general public, is predicted to attract thousands and thousands of Cubans to the polls.
The measure requires greater than 50 per cent of votes solid on Sunday to turn into regulation.
Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz Canel says he expects many of the nation’s inhabitants will vote ‘sure’ within the referendum. Supply: AP / Ramon Espinosa
Most prior poll initiatives in Cuba have been overwhelmingly accredited however an financial disaster that has led to lengthy strains for meals, medication and gasoline has raised the potential of a protest vote in opposition to the federal government.
“Now we have to get used to the truth that on such advanced points, the place there’s a variety of standards… there could also be individuals who vote to punish (the federal government),” Mr Diaz-Canel stated.
“That can be official.”
Sunday’s vote would be the first of its sort since cell web was legalised in 2018, which has let dissenting views unfold extra broadly.
There aren’t any unbiased exterior observers of Cuban elections however residents could observe the depend at their precincts instantly following the vote.
The federal government flooded TV and radio in latest weeks with spots celebrating variety 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 otherwise, 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 arduous to foretell the end result.
“The vote might be shut… facets of this code have divided the opinions of the general public, even households,” she stated.