René Préval had asked last week, aid to the Organization of American States (OAS), to resolve the political crisis following the publication of preliminary results of disputed elections of 28 November. The support of the OAS had been conditioned by the postponement of the publication of final results of the first round, which was formally accepted Monday by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). This support is reflected in two new missions, the first mission will be responsible for technical support verification of minutes and the recount, while the second will provide legal technical assistance in the litigation stage of the dispute process.

The technical mission of the OAS arrived Sunday and "started its work" yesterday, Monday, other specialists are expected this week. Albert Ramdin, Assistant Secretary General of the OAS wished to state "we must first consider what the scope of the mission, what the experts are going to make and until where the process of verification of the results of the first round of the presidential elections of November 28th will go"

In parallel to the verification process, the processing of disputes (about 200), continues. The litigation stage of the challenge process could be lengthy, candidates have the opportunity after the verdict of the Departmental Electoral Challenges Office (BCED), the first level of protest, to appeal the decision, at the National Electoral Challenges Office (BCEN). These hearings are important since the decisions may lead to change the final results.

The presence of OAS missions aroused little enthusiasm and varied reactions, from politicians or civil society.

The group of 12 camped on its positions and continued to demand the annulment of the elections. Charles Henri Baker, a presidential candidate, takes little account of these missions, and demands the annulment of the election and the departure of the CEP councillors. Serge Jean Louis, Chief of the Platform Libération, also calls at the departure of electoral councillors but wish the formation of a transitional government. Rosny Desroches, Executive Director of the Civil Society Initiative (Initiative de la Société Civile ISC), does not trust the missions of the OAS and the former deputy Saurel Jacinthe (INITE) estimate, meanwhile, that the postponement of the results is likely to promote dialogue to seek a political solution to the crisis.

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1954-haiti-elections-the-mission-oas-caricom-monitors-the-contestations.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1950-haiti-elections-meeting-between-albert-ramdin-rene-preval.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1919-haiti-elections-oas-sends-two-assistance-missions-at-the-request-of-president-preval.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1916-haiti-elections-the-group-of-12-reaffirmed-its-commitment.html


S/ HaitiLibre