HAVANA — There are no flashy television ads or campaign signs spiked into front yards. And candidates definitely don’t tour the island shaking hands and kissing babies.

Elections in Cuba lack the hoopla they have in other countries, but authorities here say they give people a voice in government, and they deny charges that the country is undemocratic. Critics call them a sham since voters can’t throw out the Communist Party long led by Fidel and Raul Castro.