Havana, March 11 (RHC)-- The National Electoral Commission president, Alina Balceiro Gutierrez, has described the voters’ turnout in the general elections held in Cuba on Sunday as “massive”.

In statements to national TV newscast, Balceiro said that by 5 p.m. local time, 78,57 % of registered voters had cast their ballots island wide, more than six million 900 thousand people.   The official said that a peaceful atmosphere prevailed at the more than 24,000 polling stations in the country´s 168 municipalities.

Due to weather conditions, the National Electoral Commission authorized polling stations in 41 municipalities to remain open for an additional hour, until 7 p.m. local time.

Balceiro said that preliminary results of the polls will be reported at a press conference on Monday afternoon.

The president of the National Electoral Commission said that Cuban citizen’s participation in the elections was excellent and positive, and that the process was characterized by a high level of organization and discipline.   She also took the opportunity to express appreciation to all state bodies that contributed to the efficient organization of the polls.