Cubans Vote Without Castro in Charge

A woman casts her ballot at a polling station during Cuba's municipal elections in Havana, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007. More than 8 million Cubans will vote formunicipal assemblies, beginning the first election cycle without Fidel Castro in charge. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano) (Javier Galeano - AP)

Raul Castro voted at a polling place near Havana's sprawling Revolution Plaza. He chatted with children in school uniforms and exchanged pleasantries with a few military leaders who also voted.

Polling stations in Cuba are manned by children who salute voters as they stuff completed ballots into boxes decorated in a variety of colors. Signs, some hand-scrawled, were posted outside booths proclaiming "Vote early," and "Choose the best and most capable."

Loitering near Havana's seaside Malecon late Saturday, two teens said they would vote to avoid political repercussions, but that they didn't support the elections.

"Nothing will change," said one, a college student who insisted on anonymity.

Government critics and human rights groups _ which are tolerated but dismissed as mercenaries of U.S. authorities by Cuba's government _ boycotted the process.

Leading dissident Martha Beatriz Roque said elections are not secret since all candidates nominated for municipal positions were chosen by a show of hands at neighborhood gatherings _ where no one dares nominate opposition leaders.

"They are not democratic, so we can't call them 'elections,'" Roque, an economist who was jailed for opposing the government but released for medical reasons, said in a recent interview.

Cuba defends its system, saying it stresses service to one's neighbors rather than excessive fund raising.