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Haiti's delayed presidential election takes place | Haiti's delayed presidential election takes place |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Voting has finished in Haiti's general election, which was delayed for more than a year amid allegations of fraud. | |
The Caribbean nation was choosing a new president and lawmakers in the hope of restoring constitutional order. | |
The results of the October 2015 vote were thrown out, creating a power vacuum when then-president Michel Martelly's mandate expired in February. | The results of the October 2015 vote were thrown out, creating a power vacuum when then-president Michel Martelly's mandate expired in February. |
Haiti has suffered from decades of corruption and, in recent years, a series of crippling natural disasters. | Haiti has suffered from decades of corruption and, in recent years, a series of crippling natural disasters. |
The most recent disaster, Hurricane Matthew, left hundreds of people dead, and destroyed thousands of homes. | The most recent disaster, Hurricane Matthew, left hundreds of people dead, and destroyed thousands of homes. |
Many are still living in temporary accommodation, including schools due to be used as polling stations on Sunday. | Many are still living in temporary accommodation, including schools due to be used as polling stations on Sunday. |
It has led to tensions between homeless families and the authorities, who want them to vacate so the vote can take place. | It has led to tensions between homeless families and the authorities, who want them to vacate so the vote can take place. |
However, there is hope among Haitians that this election may kick-start the process of rebuilding the disaster-hit nation. | However, there is hope among Haitians that this election may kick-start the process of rebuilding the disaster-hit nation. |
Polls were due to close at 21:00 GMT. | |
There are 27 presidential candidates to choose from, and the vote was monitored by the United Nations. | |
"[I want] for everyone to come together, for the country to be rebuilt," Judeline Hubert, a 23-year-old nursing student from the south-western port of Les Cayes, told Reuters. | |
The new president is expected to take over from Jocelerme Privert, the interim president, in February, following a possible second-round vote between the top two candidates in January. | The new president is expected to take over from Jocelerme Privert, the interim president, in February, following a possible second-round vote between the top two candidates in January. |