Haiti
The United Nations has called for “an immediate intensification of dialogue” in Haiti to ensure a smooth transfer of power through elections and within the “constitutional deadlines” in order to preserve the democratic gains of the country.
This follows the indefinite postponement of a presidential run off and legislative elections scheduled for December 27 by the Provisional Electoral Councils on Monday.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed “concern about the growing political uncertainty in the country. He “urged both candidates in the second round of the presidential election to cooperate in good faith with the relevant institutions to identify and implement measures to advance the process”.
Disputed Results
In the first round of presidential elections on October 25, the government’s candidate, Jovenel Moses, polled 32.76 per cent of the votes, while his opponent, Jude Celestin, won 25.29 per cent but disputed the results.
The Haitian opposition took to the streets to decry massive fraud in favor of Jovenel Moses. His opponent, Jude Celestin, refused to campaign until the creation of an independent commission to investigate the claims.
President Michel Martelly set up an “electoral assessment commission” on December 17, in response to the claims.
Pending the recommendations of this commission, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) indefinitely postponed the second round of elections.
Under the Constitution, Parliament is scheduled to resume sitting on January 11 and the handover between incumbent Michel Martelly and his successor on February 7.
Haiti has gone through a political crisis that weakened the economic development of the country, most especially the terrible earthquake in January 2010 that killed more than 200, 000 people.
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