Elections

Hey all.  Thought I'd take a few moments to update everyone on the situation down here.

The big news in Port-au-Prince (and the remainder of Haiti for that matter) is the announcement of the final candidates for the presidential election.  The election up to this point has been marred with controversy, speculations of fraud and international involvement.  All my accounts are based on conversations I've had with my roomates and what I've read.  By no means could they be considered 'inside information'  I'm still trying to piece it all together, but I'll give it my best shot here. 

Apparently the results this week stem from an earlier vote last year and the results of that election.  The Haitian constitution requires a candidate to receive 50%+ of the vote to become elected.  This year there were something like 12 candidates running, basically assuring a runoff.  The runoff is always held between the top two vote-getters.





  

Mirlande Manigat

The controversy stems when the governement anounced the top two candidates as: Mirlande Manigat, opposition candidate and former first lady of Haiti and Jude Célestin, member of current President Puvall's party and backed by the governement in power.  A close third place belonged to Michel Martelly, a popular musician from Haiti.  The vote numbers were something like Manigat 35%, Célestin 23% and Martelly 22% (although don't quote me on that).  This is where the riots began.  Brought up was evidence of balot stuffing (or at least the assumption of balot stuffing) when a recount was done and found inconsistent numbers in numerous districts around the country.  Many collection stations had similar numbers across the board except for one box at each station, where Célestin's numbers were off the charts.  Appart from the 'stuffed boxes' the numbers probably would've been closer to: Manigat 35%, and Martelly 23% and Célestin 0%. 

Michel Martelly

In enters the OAN, Organization of American States, to review the election process.  Over the next few months, pressure continues to build for Célestin to step down.  He never does, and just this morning the OAN gave the runoff spots to Manigat and Martelly.  Preval, from what I've heard, approves of the outcome. 

Jude Célestin

The official announcement of the final candidates were supposed to be announced yesterday after the commute home.  Then word got out that it was going to be mid-afternoon.  We decided as an office to leave early and avoid any sort of civil unrest.  Apparently everyone else in Port-au-Prince had the same idea.  We left around 2 and got home shortly before 4 (normally takes a half-hour tops).  Either way, they didn't announce the results until this morning.  There was definitely a sense of tenseness in the air, like things were ready to blow.  There were rumors of demonstrators assembling in the downtown area, but we have yet to hear of any rioting. 

We'll hold our breath until after the final election, due to happen in March.  For now, while it still seems a bit tense, things are calm.  Fortunately, AFH takes every precaution on these things and doesn't leave anything to chance.  While I miss out on the excitement, I don't need to fear for my safety.  I guess that's a good thing.