ARTICLE - NINE SENATOR AGAINST CONSTITUTION

NINE SENATORS AGAINST PUBLISHING THE CONSTITUTION OF HAITI
(Defend Haiti) -

PORT-AU-PRINCE - The ad hoc group of nine senators who had shunned the ratification meeting of the policy statement of Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe announced on Tuesday, and wrote a letter to President Martelly, against the publication of the Constitution of Haiti.

"The process was tainted with irregularities and fraud. The Constitutional Council, which should decide can not, as it does not exist. Therefore, the amendments are null and void," said the senators who also questioned the legitimacy of the Constitution amended in May 2011.

For these senators, the publication of the amendment would open a new avenue of crises in the country and are calling for a national revival against such a move.

Senator Francesco Delacruz (Centre/Alternative), a member of the 9, recalled that a special commission established by the President recommended that the Constitution not be published.

"The promulgation of this controversial amendment will push the country illegally," said the first senator of the Centre who denounced what he calls gaming interests, and international pressure on the issue.

The group plans to visit nine political parties and other organized groups of civil society, to draft a petition demanding the resumption of the ongoing constitutional review.

The nine senators also called for the formation of a provisional electoral council, instead of the permanent electoral council as required by the Constitution.

For more than 25 years a provisional body has been responsible for organizing elections, and the 9 senators request another for the upcoming senatorial, municipal and local elections.

"This interim CEP should be the result of consultations and negotiations between the executive, political parties and civil society, to make it credible and free from any suspicion," said Senators Francky Exius (Sud/INITE) and Andris Riche (Grand Anse/Alternative), members of the 9.