Dozens vying for Haitian presidency
Candidates include two former leaders and millionaire based in Texas
PORT- AU- PRINCE, HAITI • More than 50 candidates have registered to run for president of this violence-torn country, including two candidates from the party of ousted leader JeanBertrand Aristide.
The deadline for entering the race expired at midnight Thursday. The United Nations hopes the vote this year will produce a legitimate government capable of bridging fierce enmity between supporters and foes of Mr. Aristide, who was once viewed as a champion of democracy but was accused in recent years of corruption and despotism.
Among the candidates were Guy Philippe, a former police chief who led the armed rebellion that drove Mr. Aristide from power in February, 2004, Texasbased multimillionaire Dumarsais Simeus, two former presidents — Rene Preval and Leslie Manigat — and a local industrialist, Charles Henry Baker.
Mr. Aristide’s Lavalas Family party, which many political analysts had expected would easily win if it kept a united front and ran in the election, split after the authorities rejected the registration of popular priest Gerard Jean-Juste because he was in jail.
Rev. Jean-Juste has been in prison since July 21 on allegations he played a role in the killing of journalist Jacques Roche — allegations he categorically denies — and he was unable to register in person as a candidate or to present his ID card.
“ The decree governing the elections says the candidate has to come to register in person,” said the secretary-general of the electoral council, Rosemond Pradel. “We are not responsible if Jean-Juste is in jail.”
Lavalas officials accused the U.S.-backed interim authorities, who were appointed after Mr. Aristide fled, of trying to reduce the party’s chances of winning the Nov. 20 ballot.
“The government and its allies knew that Jean-Juste as a candidate would be unbeatable, so they made sure he was locked up,” said former Lavalas senator Gerald Gilles. The government has repeatedly denied such accusations.
But that did not stop the moderate and more radical wings of Lavalas Family from registering separate candidates.
The moderates, led by Rudy Heriveaux and Yvon Feuille, registered former World Bank official Marc Louis Bazin.
Mr. Bazin, who ran against Mr. Aristide in the 1990 presidential election, was one of his fiercest adversaries and served as prime minister under a military regime that overthrew Mr. Aristide during his first presidency. In 2001, however, Mr. Bazin became Mr. Aristide’s minister for external co-operation.
Representatives of the other faction rejected Mr. Bazin and instead registered Mr. Gilles as the party’s candidate.
The ballot is being conducted under the watchful eye of more than 7,000 UN peacekeepers and police. But the lead-up to the election has been marred by instability and violence in which hundreds have been killed.
Only about 2.8 million of an estimated 4.5 million potential voters have registered to cast ballots.
Those filing their papers on the last day to register included Mr. Simeus, the owner of a Texasbased food-processing company who has said he wants to use his business savvy to help resurrect the economy of the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.
“In all that I have done, I have always been successful,” Mr. Simeus told The Associated Press after registering his candidacy. “I’m a perpetual winner and I will win these elections.”
The Associated Press reported that the 65- year- old businessman, who was born in a two-room shack, has drawn attention because of his wealth. Critics, however, have questioned whether his candidacy will be certified by election officials because he has lived outside of Haiti for 44 years.
Mr. Simeus said he can run because he never gave up his Haitian citizenship.