This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/president-haiti-runoff-vote-will-take-place-as-scheduled/2016/01/21/3be996c6-c0a3-11e5-98c8-7fab78677d51_story.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
President: Haiti runoff vote will take place as scheduled President: Haiti runoff vote will take place as scheduled
(about 1 hour later)
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti’s outgoing leader insisted Thursday that a presidential runoff will be held as scheduled this weekend, regardless of a boycott by the opposition candidate and deep suspicion of electoral fraud.PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti’s outgoing leader insisted Thursday that a presidential runoff will be held as scheduled this weekend, regardless of a boycott by the opposition candidate and deep suspicion of electoral fraud.
President Michel Martelly told Haiti’s Tele Metropole that he believes the opposition has been trying to derail the vote so a transitional government they would dominate could be set up. Opposition factions have been pressing for a transitional government, though many questions remain unanswered about its composition and who might lead it. President Michel Martelly told Haiti’s Tele Metropole that he believes the opposition has been trying to derail the vote so a transitional government they would dominate could be set up. Opposition factions have been pressing for a transitional government, though many questions remain unanswered about how long one would last and who might lead it.
“They want to take power but not through elections,” said Martelly, appearing alongside Prime Minister Evans Paul.“They want to take power but not through elections,” said Martelly, appearing alongside Prime Minister Evans Paul.
Martelly, who is constitutionally due to leave office on Feb. 7, asserted that a transitional government would be a debacle for Haiti, which is still struggling with a highly uneven recovery from a devastating 2010 earthquake.Martelly, who is constitutionally due to leave office on Feb. 7, asserted that a transitional government would be a debacle for Haiti, which is still struggling with a highly uneven recovery from a devastating 2010 earthquake.
“Our (international) partners are clear: They are not going to recognize a transitional government,” he said, adding that there needs to be confidence in the stability of Haiti’s political system to help attract investment and jobs.“Our (international) partners are clear: They are not going to recognize a transitional government,” he said, adding that there needs to be confidence in the stability of Haiti’s political system to help attract investment and jobs.
U.S. Ambassador Peter Mulrean said in the absence of an agreement between Martelly’s administration and the opposition Washington “doesn’t see any other option but to complete the process as currently planned.” The U.S. has contributed over $30 million to this three-round election cycle in Haiti.U.S. Ambassador Peter Mulrean said in the absence of an agreement between Martelly’s administration and the opposition Washington “doesn’t see any other option but to complete the process as currently planned.” The U.S. has contributed over $30 million to this three-round election cycle in Haiti.
In a phone interview with The Associated Press, Mulrean said Haiti would move into “unchartered territory” after Feb. 7 without an elected president in place.In a phone interview with The Associated Press, Mulrean said Haiti would move into “unchartered territory” after Feb. 7 without an elected president in place.
“We prefer certainty in moving forward,” Mulrean said.“We prefer certainty in moving forward,” Mulrean said.
Martelly hinted that the Sunday runoff could still be postponed if the opposition makes compromises he did not specify: If “there was a will by everyone to put a solution on the table, we would have postponed it already.”Martelly hinted that the Sunday runoff could still be postponed if the opposition makes compromises he did not specify: If “there was a will by everyone to put a solution on the table, we would have postponed it already.”
If the runoff were to be postponed for a second time, there are calls in some quarters to keep Martelly in office until May 14 - the anniversary of the day he took office five years ago - to avoid having a transitional government in power while elections are resolved.If the runoff were to be postponed for a second time, there are calls in some quarters to keep Martelly in office until May 14 - the anniversary of the day he took office five years ago - to avoid having a transitional government in power while elections are resolved.
On Wednesday, Martelly met with officials including the president of the Senate, which had just issued a non-binding resolution calling for a halt to the elections. He was due to give a national address late Wednesday, but that speech was scrapped.On Wednesday, Martelly met with officials including the president of the Senate, which had just issued a non-binding resolution calling for a halt to the elections. He was due to give a national address late Wednesday, but that speech was scrapped.
Patrick Elie, a defense minister under former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, said he believed the election mess has the country on the edge of serious turmoil. He put the blame for what he described as “mock elections” on Martelly’s administration.Patrick Elie, a defense minister under former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, said he believed the election mess has the country on the edge of serious turmoil. He put the blame for what he described as “mock elections” on Martelly’s administration.
“Haiti is heading for trouble. Once the government’s candidate is elected — and he will be because the people don’t have any choice — there will be tremendous opposition,” Elie said.“Haiti is heading for trouble. Once the government’s candidate is elected — and he will be because the people don’t have any choice — there will be tremendous opposition,” Elie said.
Sunday’s presidential runoff pits government-backed candidate Jovenel Moise against opposition contender Jude Celestin, who is boycotting the vote although electoral officials have said his name and photo will still appear on ballots. Six senators and 25 deputies are also set to be elected.Sunday’s presidential runoff pits government-backed candidate Jovenel Moise against opposition contender Jude Celestin, who is boycotting the vote although electoral officials have said his name and photo will still appear on ballots. Six senators and 25 deputies are also set to be elected.
Celestin has rejected the official results from an Oct. 25 first round as a “ridiculous farce,” and other opposition figures and civil society groups have alleged fraud, helping lead to postponement of the runoff initially scheduled for Dec. 27. But he never officially withdrew from the race as he called for electoral reforms to be adopted.Celestin has rejected the official results from an Oct. 25 first round as a “ridiculous farce,” and other opposition figures and civil society groups have alleged fraud, helping lead to postponement of the runoff initially scheduled for Dec. 27. But he never officially withdrew from the race as he called for electoral reforms to be adopted.
Haiti’s prime minister said street demonstrations would be banned starting Friday evening as authorities prepare to hold balloting. There have been a series of sometimes violent protests in sections of Haiti’s capital and elsewhere in the country some election offices have been burned.Haiti’s prime minister said street demonstrations would be banned starting Friday evening as authorities prepare to hold balloting. There have been a series of sometimes violent protests in sections of Haiti’s capital and elsewhere in the country some election offices have been burned.
______
David McFadden on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dmcfaddDavid McFadden on Twitter: http://twitter.com/dmcfadd
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.