Interim President in Haiti calls for patience amidst election deadlock

Haiti’s Interim President Joclerme Privert has called on the country to be patient as preparations are underway for another round of presidential elections.

Speaking during the Flag Day celebrations, the temporary leader assured the population of his commitment for the polls to take place as soon as possible.

“I am calling on you all to be patient. The electoral tribunal announced the publication of the calendar for the 15th or 31st of May. The electoral tribunal is saying what the people have been waiting for. The electoral verification commission, which has a one-month mandate, has also said that the people are waiting for the results of their work. I hope that the electoral process is definitively re-launched,” he said.

The country has in recent months been plunged into violent protests resulting from an election stand-off in January, leading to the formation of an interim government.

Authorities in the country have missed four deadlines for the run-off polls and are now setting up a team to evaluate allegations of fraud in the October results.

President Privert was scheduled to handover power on the May 14, as agreed in a cross-party deal to overcome the crisis.