40 barred from Haitian Senate race -- including Lavalas slate

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Miami Herald

Posted on Saturday, 02.07.09
40 barred from Haitian Senate race -- including Lavalas slate
Haiti's electoral council disqualified 40 of 105 candidates, prompting international concern.
BY JACQUELINE CHARLES
[e-mail]

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Haiti's electoral council has barred members of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's popular political party from running in the upcoming Senate election, prompting statements of concern from the United States and Canada.

All candidates of Aristide's Famni Lavalas Party were rejected for the April 19 election - in most cases because their documents lacked the signature of party leader Aristide, council president Frantz G. Verret said Friday. Aristide has been in exile in South Africa since 2004.

Lavalas leaders pledged to fight the decision. Electoral officials had assured the party in December that leaders in Haiti could sign for their candidates, said Maryse Narcisse, the head of Lavalas' executive council.

~snip~
The U.S. Embassy called it "a matter of great concern that a decision was adopted that prevents all candidates of a particular party from participating in the next electoral contest," and called on all involved to "keep the doors open to dialogue and debate."


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/story/892401.html

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Posted on Friday, 02.06.09
Aristide allies, ex-rebel barred from Haiti vote
By JONATHAN M. KATZ
Associated Press Writer

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Haiti's electoral council has barred members of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's popular political party from running in the upcoming Senate election, prompting statements of concern from the United States and Canada.

All candidates of Aristide's Famni Lavalas Party were rejected for the April 19 election - in most cases because their documents lacked the signature of party leader Aristide, council president Frantz G. Verret said Friday. Aristide has been in exile in South Africa since 2004.

~snip~
But both Aristide and his party enjoy widespread popularity in Haiti, especially among the urban poor. Haitian police and U.N. peacekeepers blocked traffic near the electoral council's headquarters to guard against potential protests.

Prominent members of the international community, who are largely responsible for funding Haiti's elections, called for dialogue.

The U.S. Embassy called it "a matter of great concern that a decision was adopted that prevents all candidates of a particular party from participating in the next electoral contest," and called on all involved to "keep the doors open to dialogue and debate."

More:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/AP/story/891435.html

[roody]

1. So glad Bush brought democracy to Haiti.