Cuban lawmakers to debate new National Symbols, Fisheries and Electoral Laws

HAVANA, Cuba, Jul 12 (ACN) The deputies of the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP) will debate this Friday, gathered in three working groups, the draft National Symbols, Fisheries and Electoral laws, which will be submitted for approval during the III ordinary session of the current legislature.

During the recent working days in commissions, the opinions on such documents were approved, a process that forms part of the intense legislative exercise to which the Cuban Parliament is summoned to comply with the precepts of the new Constitution of the Republic.
The draft Electoral Law preserves the principles that in Cuba the people nominate and elect their representatives, and that the vote is free, direct and secret.
It proposes that the Council of State be composed of 21 members, including its leadership, as well as the total reduction of deputies to 474, which represents 131 fewer than those approved for the current Legislature, maintaining the principle that up to 50 percent are selected from among the base delegates.
It establishes the creation of electoral councils at the national, provincial and municipal levels, in collegiate composition and with vertical subordination, and recognizes other electoral structures that are activated when each process is called and cease once they have fulfilled their mission.
As for the Symbols Act, it favors a greater presence in society of the Bayamo flag, shield and anthem, in an atmosphere of order and respect for what is legislated.
The text prohibits its use in the elaboration of communicative products with advertising and commercial purposes, establishes its respect and care as an obligation of every Cuban citizen and allows the confection of the flag in a greater variety of fabrics, which will favor its greater presence.
The draft Fisheries Law contains modifications regarding the status of resources, license on violations of the catch regime, concept of sport and recreational fishing, contraventions regime and regulations for proper administrative order and control.
It also establishes fishing zones, authorizations, approvals, concessions and permits in relation to their conservation and sustainable use, as well as creates the figure of the Fisheries Advisory Commission, the advisory body in this field of the Ministry of Food Industry.
The transitional provisions of the new Magna Carta, proclaimed last April 10, state that before six months after its entry into force, the ANPP must approve a new Electoral Law.
In addition, it provides that this same body will approve, within a period of one year, a legislative schedule to comply with the development of laws that develop the precepts set out in the Constitution.