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Haiti election: Voting in delayed elections amid tight security | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Haitians are voting in legislative elections that have been repeatedly delayed since 2011, in a test of stability for the impoverished nation. | |
Police have been deployed as voters choose two-thirds of the senate and the chamber of deputies. | |
A presidential poll is set for October. | |
President Michel Martelly, who is constitutionally barred from running again, has ruled by decree since January. The opposition accuse him of abusing his powers. | |
'Major test' | 'Major test' |
Polling stations across Haiti opened at 06:00 local time (10:00 GMT) and will close at 16:00. | |
Nearly six million eligible voters are choosing 119 deputies and 20 senators from more than 1,800 candidates registered from different political parties. | Nearly six million eligible voters are choosing 119 deputies and 20 senators from more than 1,800 candidates registered from different political parties. |
The run-off round will be held on 25 October - the same day as the presidential election. | The run-off round will be held on 25 October - the same day as the presidential election. |
Several people have been killed since campaigning for Sunday's poll opened in July. | Several people have been killed since campaigning for Sunday's poll opened in July. |
Haiti's police are being helped by UN police and peacekeepers to ensure safety during the voting. | Haiti's police are being helped by UN police and peacekeepers to ensure safety during the voting. |
"These elections will be a major test for October," said Pierre Esperance, who heads the National Human Rights Defence Network. | "These elections will be a major test for October," said Pierre Esperance, who heads the National Human Rights Defence Network. |
Haiti's parliament was dissolved in January over its failure to hold elections, leaving Haiti without a functioning government. | Haiti's parliament was dissolved in January over its failure to hold elections, leaving Haiti without a functioning government. |
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world, and is still struggling with the legacy of the devastating 2010 earthquake. | Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world, and is still struggling with the legacy of the devastating 2010 earthquake. |