Haiti’s CEP mulls postponing polls amid concerns
PORT AU PRINCE, Hait (CMC) — The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) says it may consider postponing the second round of the presidential elections later this month, but would not consider demands from Opposition groups to establish an independent body to verify the results of the first round of voting on October 25.
CEP advisor Ricardo Augustin said that the commission is also prepared to discuss a proposal from Jude Célestin regarding the second round of voting on December 27.
He said that Celestin, the presidential candidate for the LAPEH party, has been making statements in the media about the proposals regarding the postponement of the second round of balloting.
Opposition parties have been staging street protests here in support of their demands for fresh elections after claiming that the first round on October 25 was tainted.
Since the release of the election results on October 25, thousands of protesters have taken to the streets amid allegations of voter fraud.
The demonstrators have declared that, without major changes, fair elections will not be held while outgoing President Michel Martelly is in power .
Late last month the CEP announced the start of the campaign period for the second round of the presidential elections, stating that it will end on December 22.
Several people have died during the protests and Maryse Narcisse, presidential candidate of Fanmi Lavalas, said “we congratulate the Haitian people who will not let the CEP, the Government and the international community” conduct unfair elections.
“Our courage and dignity allow us to remain firm on the concrete. This electoral coup will not pass,” he said, adding that “mobilisation is necessary and indispensable” and that the street protests would continue.
The Organization of American States (OAS) said it will observe the secnd round of balloting in this French-speaking Caribbean Community country.