Haiti: Influential candidate quits presidential race

Haiti’s presidential candidate, Jude Celestine, has refused to participate in the second round of the presidential election in Haiti.

Expected to face Jovenel Moise on January 24, he decries cases of fraud and irregularity.

“I will not go to this farce. It will not be an election. It will be a selection because there is only one candidate and this is against our constitution,” he said.

Vidéo: Message à la Nation en ce lundi 18 janvier 2016 https://t.co/OmofGZJJC3 #JC2016

— Jude Celestin (@JCelestin2016) January 19, 2016

Celestine had 25.3 percent of the vote against Moise’s 32.8 percent during the first round.

Moise who is going on with his campaign was ahead during the first-round polling in October and has the backing of president Michel Martelly.

Radical opposition protesters blocked streets on Monday demanding a transitional government be put in place to organise new elections.

“On January 24, there will not be elections. We will have our machetes and stones in hand. We say to everyone: Close your doors and stay inside because we will not be participating in elections,” protester Betty Milou told the crowd.

Jude Celestine is advocating peace and has denounced the interference of the international community.