Strong turnout in Cuba's national legislative elections -government

People hang signs announcing the upcoming legislative elections in Havana, Cuba, March 25, 2023. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

HAVANA (Reuters) -Upwards of 70% of eligible Cubans had cast ballots by late Sunday afternoon in an election for the 470 lawmakers who will represent them in the country´s National Assembly, with voter turnout topping that of two previous votes in 2022, officials said.

Participation in Sunday's election was widely seen by both pro- and anti-government groups as a proxy for gauging support for Cuba's communist leadership at a time of deep economic crisis and growing social unrest.