First step to elect Castro successor

HAVANA - The first phase of the general election process, previously scheduled for Oct 22, has gone ahead after being delayed as a result of the damage caused by Hurricane Irma early this month.

The polls are being followed with particular attention, since the process will conclude early next year with the approximately 600 members of the newly-formed legislative assembly electing the nation's top leader when the second five-year term of Raul Castro ends in February.

After voting near his home, Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, vice-president and second secretary of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party, congratulated electoral authorities.