Haiti: Presidential and legislative elections to be held Nov. 28

Elections were postponed in the wake of Hurricane Matthew’s destruction

The long delayed presidential and legislative elections in Haiti will be held on November 20 following yet another setback due to the destruction caused by Hurricane Matthew.

On Friday, the Provisional Election Council (CEP) said the second round of elections will be held on January 29.

Haiti’s elections had been scheduled for last week. The country’s previous elections, in 2015, were canceled, leaving Haiti in political limbo.

Since President Michel Martelly, left office in February – parliament elected Jocelerme Privert as interim president, but his 120-day mandate expired in June.

Haiti was forced to postpone the scheduled second round of elections in January amid protests after the front runner Jude Célestin said he would not campaign until government officials addressed fraud allegations resulting from the October 25 poll last year.

Célestin welcomed the latest postponement after the hurricane saying “getting assistance to the population is more important than elections right now.”

“It is difficult to go ask people to go vote, given what we are dealing with right now. But elections are important. I hope that the CEP announces a new date as soon as possible so that regardless of the conditions, there is a new president who takes office in Haiti on February 7.”

The 5 main challengers for the post of president are Jean-Henri Céant, Jovenel Moïse, Moïse Jean-Charles, Jude Célestin and Maryse Narcisse. -(CMC)