Home>News Center>World
         
 

Haiti's elections set for October and November
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-01 09:54

Haitian officials Monday announced dates in October and November for local and national elections to fill a political vacuum left by last year's ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Representatives of Aristide's Lavalas Party have said they will only participate in elections if the interim government ends what they call the arbitrary arrest and detention of Aristide loyalists.

The Provisional Electoral Council said 7,000 local and regional posts will be contested on Oct. 9, while the election for Haiti's president and 129 legislators will take place on Nov. 13. Elected officials will take office in January and February 2006.

A carnival reveler covered with motor oil and wearing a wig tries to scare people during a procession at the traditional carnival celebrations in Jacmel, Haiti, January 30, 2005. Carnival is celebrated all over Haiti from February 6 through 8 except in Jacmel, which is a home to hundreds of artists. This year, the celebrations took place under the watchful eye of UN peacekeepers. [Reuters]
A carnival reveler covered with motor oil and wearing a wig tries to scare people during a procession at the traditional carnival celebrations in Jacmel, Haiti, January 30, 2005. Carnival is celebrated all over Haiti from February 6 through 8 except in Jacmel, which is a home to hundreds of artists. This year, the celebrations took place under the watchful eye of UN peacekeepers. [Reuters]
Rosemond Pradel, a spokesman for the electoral body, announced the dates in a decree sent to Haiti's interim government, which is expected to ratify the decision later this week.

So far, 91 political parties have registered with the government with about 50 more expected to sign up, U.N. elections officer Gerardo Le Chevallier said. He said about 100 presidential candidates are expected to participate.

The elections will be financed by $26.5 million in funds from Canada, the United States, Haiti and the United Nations. The European Union has pledged an additional $12 million.

Aristide was toppled Feb. 29 after a three-week revolt led by street gangs and former soldiers of the army he disbanded in 1995, shortly after the United States sent troops to restore him to power after a 1991 army coup. Aristide has accused U.S. forces of kidnapping him and forcing him from office. The United States has strongly denied the charge.

Armed ex-soldiers and former rebels who helped overthrow Aristide still control parts of the country, and violence in pro-Aristide slums has killed more than 250 people since Sept. 30.

Interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue has accused Aristide of coordinating the violence from exile in South Africa, a claim the former leader denies.



 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

Closing farm-urban income gap 'top' goal

 

   
 

More meningitis cases, but no new deaths

 

   
 

Central bank plans more market moves

 

   
 

China, US discuss setting up defense hotline

 

   
 

Allawi calls for unity after Iraqi vote

 

   
 

Risk controls urged for Bank of China

 

   
  New Gaza violence strains de facto truce
   
  Allawi calls for unity after Iraqi vote
   
  U.S. guards shoot dead 4 inmates in Iraq prison riot
   
  Sudan: UN clears government of genocide
   
  Settlers protest Israel's pullout plan
   
  Iraqi PM calls for dialogue after historic vote
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
U.N. peacekeepers to stay in Haiti
   
Haiti PM orders arrest warrant against Aristide
   
China sends riot police to Haiti
   
Central America considers troops for Haiti
   
Haiti violence death toll rises to 46
   
Death toll in Haiti floods rises to 1,650
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Advertisement