As Haiti enters the period of electoral contestation, it is essential that all political actors remain calm and encourage their supporters to do the same. The United States, together with Haiti’s international community partners, stands ready to support efforts to thoroughly review irregularities in support of electoral results that are consistent with the will of the Haitian people expressed in their votes.

The Haitian Electoral Council announced Tuesday evening that the second round of presidential elections in Haiti will oppose Mirlande Manigat, who obtained 31.37% of votes and the candidate of power Jude Célestin, who obtained 22.48% of the vote, either 6.845 votes of more than the popular singer Michel Martelly (21.84%) whose supporters were demonstrating their anger on Tuesday evening in Port-au-Prince and other cities.

Like others, the Government of the United States is concerned by the Provisional Electoral Council’s announcement of preliminary results from the November 28 national elections that are inconsistent with the published results of the National Election Observation Council (CNO), which had more than 5,500 observers and observed the vote count in 1,600 voting centers nationwide, election-day observations by official U.S. observers accredited by the CEP, and vote counts observed around the country by numerous domestic and international observers.

Haiti's transition to democracy over the past 24 years has seen many successes, overcoming major challenges. The 2010 elections represent a critical test of whether the Haitian people will determine their destiny through their vote. The United States is committed to the consolidation of democracy in Haiti and calls on the Government of Haiti, the CEP and all political forces to ensure that the will of the people is fully reflected in the outcome of this election.

The contestation of results by the candidates is allowed until December 10, the final results of the first round should be announced around December 20. The second round must take place on January 16.

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1859-haiti-elections-2010-preliminary-results-official-first-round.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1860-haiti-elections-situation-of-violence-throughout-the-country.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1853-haiti-elections-the-day-of-the-great-rumors.html

HL/ HaitiLibre