Haitian protesters demand poll delay

PORT-AU-PRINCE: Stonethrowing protesters took to the streets of Haiti’s capital yesterday to demand the suspension of a January 24 presidential election over alleged irregularities, while in provincial areas, unknown attackers burnt several electoral offices.

Haiti is due to hold a run-off vote backed by international donors on Sunday, but tension has risen since opposition candidate Jude Celestin said last week he would withdraw, on the grounds that the electoral authorities favoured the ruling party.

Swiss-trained engineer Celestin, 53, came second in an October first round in the poor Caribbean nation, beaten by banana exporter Jovenel Moise, 47, the ruling-party candidate.

Accompanied by a man playing a trumpet, the several thousand-strong crowd grew angrier as it moved from poor neighbourhoods into downtown Port-au-Prince. Some protesters burnt vehicles, threw rocks and attacked a petrol pump.

“If I have to take up weapons I will do that. I have done it in the past,” said slum resident Jaques Madiou, 40, who said he had taken up arms after former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a leftist ex-priest, was forced from power in 2004.

Elections and transfers of power in Haiti have long been plagued by instability, and international observers said October’s vote was relatively smooth. However, several of the 54 candidates alleged fraud in favour of Moise.

Yesterday, Moise called on voters to participate in the second round, telling reporters that the election was a “turning point” that would strengthen Haiti’s democracy.

The protesters demanded the creation of an interim government and fresh elections to be held after President Michel Martelly leaves office next month. The opposition groups included the Platform Pitit Desalin and supporters of Celestin.

“We declare this week the rebellion week to block the January 24 election. We will protest in front of each voting booth and voting centre,” said Assad Volcy, deputy secretary-general of Pitit Desalin.

“When Martelly leaves on February 7 we want a provisional government to evaluate the electoral process and complete it,” he said.

In the north of the country, unknown assailants burnt four offices on Sunday night belonging to the electoral council.

The Organisation of American States said it deplored the violence against the election council. The council vowed to go ahead with the vote on Sunday. – Reuters

PICTURE: REUTERS UNHAPPY: A man riding a bike passes next to a car that was set on fire by protesters during a demonstration against the electoral process in Port-au-Prince in Haiti yesterday. Haiti’s delayed presidential run-off election will take place on January 24.