Havana, Feb 25 (Prensa Latina) One hour after the closure of more than 24,000 polling stations in Cuba for the referendum on the new Constitution, about 81.53 percent of voters had exercised their right to vote, the National Electoral Commission (CEN) said on Monday.

According to the President of the commission, Alina Balseiro, about 7,524,318 citizens over 16 years attended the polls, a figure that will grow on Monday when the CEN offers preliminary results during a press briefing.

The day was quiet and with a massive popular protagonism, traditional scene on the island, said the official, who acknowledged the population for their participation.

The 24,000 polling stations established in Cuba closed at 18:00 local time, and the members of the polling centers opened the ballot boxes to count the votes, a process that is public and hosted thousands of neighbors in the 15 provinces.

Although the details of the referendum will not be known until Monday afternoon, in terms of number of Yes votes, those that reflect the No vote and the annulled ones, media and witnesses present predict a clear support for the Constitution to replace the one in force since 1976.