Cuba Postpones Local Elections After Hurricane Irma

Cuba's State Council decided to postpone for one month municipal elections that will eventually lead to the election of a successor to President Raul Castro.

The first phase of the general election process, previously scheduled for Oct 22, will be held on Nov 26, as a result of damage caused to this Caribbean nation by Hurricane Irma last week.

The elections were rescheduled so that state institutions and the people can focus on recovery efforts, an official release read on Cuban State TV.

The elections will elect councils or delegates and are the first in a series of votes for local, provincial and, finally, national officials.

Raul Castro, 86, became president in 2008 and is expected to step down in February.