Havana, March 5 (RHC)-- Cuban electoral officials termed as 'successful' Sunday's drill held nationwide, ahead of the second and last phase of the general elections on March 11th.

The rehearsal tested the preparation of electoral authorities, vote counters, communications lines, validation of results and logistics.

In statements to the press, Vice President of the National Electoral Commission Tomás Amarán, further confirmed that everything is ready for next Sunday's elections.

He insisted that the drill was necessary to avoid any possible failures that may arise, thus making sure the whole mechanism is ready and fully operational.

Some 8 million Cubans are registered to participate in the election of delegates to the provincial assemblies and of 605 deputies to the National Assembly of People's Power —the Cuban Parliament.

The new legislature, resulting from the upcoming elections, will be sworn in on April 19th. On that day, the new parliament president, vice president and secretary will be elected. The sworn in deputies will then elect the new State Council.

As President Raúl Castro reiterated during the last ordinary session of the National Assembly in December, the mandate of the country's top leaders should be limited to two five-year terms. Consequently, on April 19 Cuba will have a new president.