ARTICLE - MIXED REVIEWS OF 2ND ROUND

MIXED REVIEWS FOR ROUND TWO OF HAITIAN ELECTIONS
(Jamaica Observer) - By Winsome Trudy

The opening hours on March 20 of the presidential run-off election in Haiti got mixed reviews from observers and voters, mostly negative in terms of voting arrangements, if not voter enthusiasm.

Several polling stations visited by the team of journalists from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) covering the elections, between 7:00 and 9:00 in the morning had not opened to admit the long lines of anxious registered voters, many of whom had been there as early as 5:00 am. Their major concern was that the polling centres were scheduled to close by 4:00 pm and if so, they would not get the opportunity to cast their ballot.

Many of the concerns were echoed by international observers interviewed by the journalists. "I don't know if within the next two or three hours things will be organised for the people to vote," one observer said, adding that this was much the same picture in the first round of these elections.

It was not all 'gloom and doom', however; as the head of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission to Haiti (MINUSTAH) Edmond Mullet told the Caribbean team that he was very optimistic that the dislocations would work themselves out before the day was much older.

The problems encountered were significant for several reasons; these elections will not only determine who will be Haiti's next president, but also because a major contention of all the candidates (not in the ruling party), as well as their supporters and most observers, was that the polling in the previous round was plagued with problems and irregularities including late openings in some areas, inaccurate voters' lists and ballot tampering.

Much the same might be said of round two. Given the nature of these presidential candidates to be controversial, as it suits their cause, one can expect that whomever emerges on the losing end will scream voter irregularities and call for yet another round of voting, however unlikely that may prove to be.

In fact, given the sentiments expressed by the various spokespersons interviewed to date from the international community, it seems that while they anticipate some 'problems' they are more confident on this occasion that the process will be generally fair and able to withstand international, if not, national scrutiny.

Besides the office of president, there are 76 out of the 99 departmental seats, or "Dipites" to be determined by Sunday's vote. In addition, more than four million were registered to vote throughout the 11,182 voting centres in the country.

One thing remains clear; the strong voter turn-out in Port au-Prince appeared to be living up to the general expectations of the candidates, international observers and the electoral team. At the polling station at Petion Ville school, many voters were in the line since 4:30 am. At 8:30 am they were still unable to vote.

The reason?

Someone forgot to deliver the tally sheets and the close of polls materials. After much shouting and with reinforced police presence, a loud cheer erupted as the materials arrived at just before 9:00 am. "We are not leaving until we vote," declared more than one voter standing in line at centres visited. Other problems included the absence of indelible ink and pencils. However, it must be noted that at several polling stations there were over 30 polling booths.

The impact, if any, of Aristide's return on voter behaviour, also remains unpredictable. Some local observers feel that his appeal to his army of supporters to "come into the house" was a coded message in support of Madam Manigat, the other candidate who led convincingly in round one but who trailed in the polls during the countdown to March 20.