havana cuban opposition leaders say fail get anyone nominate candidate municipal elections fall first hurdle communist-run island embark political cycle end 60 years castro brothers rule month municipal elections first stage process conclude new national assembly vote february president replace 86-year-old raul castro promise step two five-year term cubans hope handover power leaders 1959 revolution new generation bring political openness others neither expect want much change point castro remain head communist party legal party cuba one part cuba political cycle dissidents stand chance win neighborhood nomination assemblies recent weeks choose candidates elections 12,515 ward position towns across nation 11 million people several hundred dissidents seek nomination unprecedented number although none make list 27,221 candidates accord opposition electoral platforms otro18 candidates change dissident leaders blame failure partly repressive tactics authorities say show viable political alternatives process democratization start say manuel cuesta morua spokesman otro18 government reply request comment reuters unable verify opposition figure efforts report state-run media mean ordinary cubans hear cuba provincial national vote candidates nominate commission compose representatives communist party-controlled organizations trade union federation cuba leaders say country elections democratic western model say characterize big business corruption fracture opposition traditionally call cuban elections farce boycott even opposition electoral platforms emerge past years say time ripe change cuba within system election come delicate time cuba battle keep detente unite state alive economy afloat aid key ally venezuela dwindle several dissidents tell reuters authorities prevent attend speak neighborhood nomination assemblies shift date seek intimidate state security threaten say abdel legra decide nominate want get neighbor work state trouble back problem vote hand count public postponement electoral cycle month authorities say due damage cause hurricane irma put spanner work several dissidents already plan trip abroad communist party say intervene elections leak video first vice president miguel diaz-canel castro probable successor say party would seek discredit counter-revolutionary candidates cuba brand dissenters mercenaries fund foreign governments exile topple government 2015 two dissidents manage get nominate say election officials alter autobiographies say tie counter-revolutionaries base finance abroad one hildebrando chaviano say attend assembly year say felt would circus authorities visit neighbor days say warn vote assembly end nominate current municipal delegate party veteran many dissidents say would continue take part grassroots politics get voice hear chaviano say give course leadership economics begin say cuban opposition fall first hurdle castro handover loom