The governmental divisions in Cuba consist of 14 provinces and a total of 169 municipalities. The municipalities were defined by the Cuban law 1304 in 1976 creating so-called People’s Power Assemblies in the process. These Assemblies exist on the local, regional and national level and form the local backbone of the Cuban central government. Day to day management of localities and provinces takes place through administrative councils that are appointed by and accountable to the People’s Power Assemblies. The Assemblies in turn are elected on a 2.5 year basis through a secret ballot procedure most recently in 2010 and tentatively planned to take place again in 2012.
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Since 1976 the People’s Power Assemblies have been institutionalized in Cuba, embedding local government into the overall governmental structure of the country. Several revisions have been made to this legislation for example in 1992 and 2000 aimed at extending the scope and set-up of local government throughout the country. Another objective was to increase popular participation in local elections.
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The work of local authorities in fields such as water management, education and health is planned and implemented by the central government which strives towards increasing the quality and effectiveness of basic service delivery and the general standard of living. The foremost function of local authorities is thus the local management and execution of central government policies.
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