There won't be an election while the president is still in power - Haiti PM

Haiti Prime Minister, Paul Evans has said the presidential run-off which was postponed should not be held until the incumbent President Michel Martelly steps down.

“In this environment, there won’t be an election while the president is still in power. We’re discussing the situation, and there are many scenarios that could occur, but in the end we’re going to have the second round after the Martelly government gives up power, which will be after February 7,” Prime Minister Evans said.

The Opposition have been staging demonstrations to put pressure on the president to leave office on February 7 in order to hold fair elections. There are reports that supporters of the president want him to stay in office until his five-year term ends in May.

In an interview, Prime Minister Evans acknowledged the democratic system in his country is weak and they will have to find a solution in order not to compromise the political environment.

“There will always be demands from people who are in favour and those who are not in favour. We are in a democratic system even though the system is weak. What I know is that we have to find a formula to prevent the country from sinking into chaos. In that sense, people will always demand whatever they want, but what’s fundamental is to find the necessary compromise to maintain stability and to continue the electoral process. In this kind of situation one should not defend only oneself. I don’t think president Martelly has the will to remain in power, no,” Prime Minister Evans added.

The opposition have accused President Martelly of favouring his successor, Jovenel Moise who came first in the first round of elections. However the President says the accusations are unfounded.