Haiti: an international report calls for the withdrawal of the government candidate

According to a UN diplomat, the evaluation report of the first round of presidential elections in Haiti prepared by experts of the Organization of American States (OAS), advocated the withdrawal of the candidate of the ruling party, arrived second according to provisional results. "It will be very difficult for (outgoing President Rene) Preval to ignore this recommendation," said the source.

The report believes that the singer Michel Martelly, came third, remains in the race, according to the diplomatic source who wished to remain anonymous. The first round took place on November 28 under conditions criticized marred by accusations of fraud and against the backdrop of a cholera outbreak.

A second round is tentatively scheduled Jan. 16, but the provisional electoral council has already stated that the deadline would be impossible to hold. Publication of preliminary results of the first round, 7 December, had triggered violent protests. According to these results, the former first lady Mirlande Manigat was ranked first with 31% of the vote before the candidate backed by the power, Jude Celestin, who has won 22% of the vote.

The popular singer Michel Martelly, which disputes these findings, arrived barely in third place with 21% of the vote and was therefore not qualified for the second round, to the dismay of his supporters protested across the countries. As a protege of outgoing President, Jude Celestin is the candidate of the ruling party "Unity".

Without political experience, he is 48 years one of the youngest contenders for the presidency. Ten experts from the OAS in Haiti arrived in late December to assess the electoral process after the first round. Under the terms of reference of the mission, then there will be a discussion between the government and experts who focus on their assessments and recommendations.

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