Aristide allies, ex-rebel barred from Haiti vote

[Judi Lynn]

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.

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.

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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

[Judi Lynn]

1. 40 barred from Haitian Senate race -- including Lavalas slate

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]

A decision by Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council to disqualify members of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's political party in the April 19 senate elections has sparked concern among foreign diplomats.

The 17 Fanmi Lavalas members were among 40 people who registered candidacies for Parliament, but were disqualified this week. The party is one of the largest in the country, but internal discord over who can register candidates under the party banner hampered the process.

~snip~
The U.S. Embassy in Haiti called the Council's decision a ''matter of great concern'' and, like Canada, called on Haitian authorities to discuss the matter.

''Under the law, elections should involve all major parties and serve as a unifying force for democracy,'' the statement said. ``An election based on the exclusion. . . will inevitably question the credibility of elections. . . in Haiti and among donors and friends of Haiti.''

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