Cubans vote Sunday to elect 470 parliamentarians to represent them in the National Assembly, in a closely watched election that is seen as a referendum on government at a time of deep economic crisis.

According to the National Electoral Council (CEN), at 11:00 local time, 42% of Cubans voted.

The Cuban government, stunned by the deficit, inflation and growing social unrestencouraged unity on the Sunday ballot, inviting citizens to vote in a wide show of support for the leaders.

Anti-government forces, mostly outside the island in a country that restricts dissident political expressionencouraged the opposite, urging Cubans to abstain and calling the elections a “farce”.

He President Miguel Diaz-Canel, early voters in Santa Clara said the citizens should have the final say. “Some may put the difficult economic situation ahead of the desire to vote, but I don’t think that’s the majority. The people will have the last word, but I trust our people,” he said.

470 candidates 470 seats are vying for Sunday’s vote. There are no opposition candidates.