Demonstrators against Haiti vote outcome clash with police

PORT-AU-PRINCE: Haitian police stopped hundreds of demonstrators challenging the presidential election’s outcome on Wednesday, blocking them, clashing with stone-throwers and lobbing tear gas to disperse the crowds.

On Tuesday, sporadic violence broke out in some of Port-au-Prince’s poorest neighborhoods – carried by Maryse Narcisse’s Fanmi Lavalas Party – against winner Jovenel Moise, the man former president Michel Martelly chose to represent his party.

Early data show that Moise won the election outright, garnering 55.7 per cent of the Nov 20 vote, barring the need for a second round.

But he lacks popularity, with only 21 per cent of eligible voters having cast their ballots.

Demonstrators marching Wednesday ran up against officers with heavy weapons and riot shields, who blocked them in Petionville, a well-off suburb of the capital.

Marchers lobbed stones at police, who first responded with tear gas grenades and then water cannons.

Jude Celestin is so far second with 19.52 per cent of the vote.

Moise Jean-Charles (11.04 per cent), and Maryse Narcisse (8.99 per cent) are readying to take their disputes to the electoral authorities.

The electoral council issued a statement on Wednesday reminding Haitians that the results are only preliminary and urging “parties, political groups and candidates to refrain from declaring themselves elected.” — AFP