Haiti’s President Joclerme Privert on Wednesday (May 18) called on the impoverished Caribbean nation to be patient amidst election deadlock amidst public frustrations over a stalled national vote.
Haiti’s election was postponed in January after sometimes violent protests over allegations of fraud in the first round. An interim government has been running the country since the last president’s term ended in February.
Political battles over the formation of the interim government has meant that temporary President Jocelerme Privert has not handed over power to an elected successor, an event that had been scheduled for May 14, as agreed to in a cross-party deal to overcome the crisis.
President Privert reaffirmed his commitment for elections to take place in Haiti.
“I take responsibility for doing everything possible so that we have an elected president and to fill the electoral posts,” he said.
Last month, Privert suggested the country should now choose its next president at the same time as an October 30 deadline for a senate election.
The comment has sparked anger amongst those demanding their say in an urgent election.
Privert expressed his hope that Haiti’s electoral process will be re-started shortly.
“I am calling on you all to be patient. The electoral tribunal announced the publication of the calendar for the 15th or 31st of May. The electoral tribunal is saying what the people have been waiting for. The electoral verification commission, which has a one-month mandate, has also said that the people are waiting for the results of their work. I hope that the electoral process is definitively re-launched,” he declared.
Haiti has been in political turmoil since a first-round presidential vote in October was questioned by losing candidates.
Authorities have missed four deadlines for the run-off and are now setting up a team to evaluate allegations of fraud in the October results.
But the country is still plagued by violent scenes at political protests.
Privert decried the taking up on arms during a tense electoral process in Haiti.
“When a person demands that another person arms to attack a commissioner, to attack police, it is gang action, criminal and trafficking. We believe in democracy. We believe in laws and human rights. We will not tolerate any disorder, he declared.
Privert’s remarks come as Haiti celebrates Flag Day – the day in which the country adopted its flag in 1803. For Haitians, the event is one of the most celebrated in the country and is a staunch symbol of its independence from its colonial past.
Speaking on the national holiday, the Haitian President spoke out against youth homelessness in the country.
“Today is a great day because it’s for celebrating my country’s flags. It’s proof of my independence. I am also here to present the claims of children living on the streets. Are they independent or not? I don’t think so, because they are suffering a modern slavery. In the 21st century there are children living in bad conditions, suffering from torture,” said Privert.
The results of the first round in October put Jovenel Moise in first place and Jude Celestin in second for a runoff, but Celestin and several more of the 52 losing candidates rejected the outcome.
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016