U.S. concerned over fraud allegations in Haiti's elections

[News_Editor]

U.S. concerned over fraud allegations in Haiti's elections

2011-04-23 01:37:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (BNO NEWS) -- The United States Embassy in Haiti on Friday expressed its concern over the fraud allegations in relation the final results announced by the Conseil Electoral Provisoire (CEP) for Haiti's legislative elections.

Through a statement, the U.S. shared the concern by the Organization of American States (OAS)/CARICOM Joint Electoral Observation Mission (JEOM) in regards to the second round of elections held on March 20.

"After reviewing the results and materials provided by the CEP, United Nations, and international observers, we have found no explanation for the reversals of 18 legislative races in the final results, which in all except two cases benefited the incumbent party," said the U.S. Embassy in Haiti.

Among the irregularities, a candidate of the incumbent party was placed third in the preliminary results but announced as winner in the CEP's final results, with total votes counted in the race increasing by 55,000 votes (from 90,000 to 145,000).

In addition, two other candidates doubled its vote totals from the preliminary results to the final ones. One of them had a vote count that exceeded the total number of votes submitted in his district for all candidates.

The U.S. called on the Haitian government to provide a thorough, public explanation for the reversals in these 18 legislative races. The U.S. government was invited by Haiti to support and participate in the electoral process.

The CPE's final results also confirmed the election of popular singer Joseph Michel Martelly as new President of the Caribbean island nation. Martelly defeated former first lady Mirlande Maniga in the March run-off.

On Wednesday, newly-elected President Martelly met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington D.C., in which was the first foreign tour of the new leader. Martelly is expected to take office on May 14.

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