UN urges mass voter turnout for upcoming Haiti's run-off presidential elections

UN urges mass voter turnout for upcoming Haiti's run-off presidential elections

2011-03-18 06:24:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations on Thursday urged Haitian citizens to participate in the upcoming run-off presidential elections as a mass voter turnout is essential for the country's future.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) said that the island nation's political stability and economic reconstruction depends in part on as large a turnout as possible during the run-off that will be held this Sunday.

"By going to the polls in large numbers, Haitians would be able to demonstrate their commitment to exercise their sovereign right to choose the leaders they trust," the UN mission said in a statement.

On Sunday, popular musician Michel Martelly will face former first lady Mirlande Manigat in the second round of presidential elections four months after the first round was held.

Haiti plunged into a serious political crisis since the first round of the presidential election on November 28. After two months of post-election crisis, Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council decided to eliminate from the race Jude Celestin, the candidate backed by outgoing President René Préval.

Preliminary official results have put conservative Mirlande Manigat in first place and Celestin in second place, eliminating popular singer Michel Martelly from the second round, which was originally scheduled for January 16.

The results were denounced by supporters of Martelly and challenged by an audit of the votes of the Organization of American States (OAS). The electoral council has finally followed the recommendations of the OAS.

"There is no doubt that Haitians are today united to demand, through their vote, political stability and a democratic transition in Haiti and so that the reduction in poverty, reconstruction, revival of economic growth and social progress can advance as quickly as possible," MINUSTAH stated.

The UN mission also urged all Haitians to ensure that the run-off is held amidst peace and calm in order to result in credible, objective and democratic elections. MINUSTAH particularly called to abstain from threats, intimidation and harassment.

This week, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in Guatemala that recovery and reconstruction efforts in Haiti are gathering momentum and the recent cholera epidemic is being brought under control.

In January 12, 2010, an earthquake flattened much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and killed 316,000 people. It is estimated that over 1.5 million people lost their homes in the disaster.

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