Some 581 lay judges will be elected or ratified in the province of Las Tunas until December 15; a process that is being developed with organizational and training actions for union leaders who are in charge of conducting such an important procedure, as a priority for the Cuban union movement.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- This responds to the summons of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba, by the provisions of Laws 140, on the Popular Courts, and 146, on the Military Courts. Once the elections are concluded, the proposed candidates will be submitted to the approval of the municipal assemblies of the People's Power during January and February.

In an exchange between union leaders and representatives of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, the Federation of Cuban Women, the National Association of Small Farmers, and the Federation of University Students, this practice was discussed in depth throughout the country, which shows the popular character of the act of imparting justice.

The importance of complying with the established schedule ensuring the quality of the assemblies and the selection of those who truly have the conditions to perform such a high responsibility within the Cuban legal system was also emphasized.

In Cuba, lay judges are elected without legal tenure, and they impart justice in the different instances of the Popular Courts with equal rights and duties with professional judges.