Pro-government ralliers in Haiti call for presidential elections
Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Haiti’s capital, calling for presidential elections to be held following two delays in voting.
At least 4,000 people participated in the Thursday demonstration in Port-au-Prince, which had been organized by Haiti’s ruling party. A similar pro-government demonstration was also held in the west coast city of Gonaives.
“We are demanding [that] the second round of presidential elections be held so the voice of Haiti’s voters will be respected,” said a protester. “We don’t want any transition government,” he added, referring to opposition demands for the resignation of incumbent President Michel Martelly and the formation of a transitional government until a predecessor is elected.
Electoral authorities indefinitely postponed a presidential vote only 48 hours before the vote on January 24 over opposition complaints that the first round was marred by rampant voter fraud favoring government-backed candidate Jovenel Moise.
It was the second time the run-off elections were being delayed since the first round of the polls on October 25, 2015. Another planned run-off in December last year had also been delayed. The former head of Haiti’s state construction company, Jude Celestin, and Moise have been supposed to face each other in the polls.
President Martelly, who is due to leave office on February 7, is not allowed to run for a second consecutive term.
The opposition protesters demanded that Martelly, who has held power since 2011, resign immediately, and that an interim government schedule new elections in early February.
Martelly, however, addressed the pro-government protesters on Thursday, saying he would “not going to leave the country in uncertainty” and vowed to find a solution for the political crisis.
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