Haiti’s Martelly urges world to ignore vote results
PORT-AU-PRINCE, April 23, AFP Haiti’s president-elect Michel Martelly
urged the international community Friday to “not recognize the results
of legislative elections” tainted by fraud to benefit the ruling party.
“These results are unacceptable and don’t reflect the will of the
people,” said a statement from Martelly’s office.
Results of legislative elections published by the Haitian electoral
council gave outgoing President Rene Preval’s Unity Party a landslide
victory.
The ruling Unity Party expanded its presence in the Chamber of
Deputies, taking 46 of the 99 positions, and gained an absolute majority
in the upper Senate with 17 of the 30 seats, according to final results
announced Thursday.
The United Nations and Haiti’s major donor nations, including the
United States, voiced concern earlier Friday over allegations of fraud.
Reversals in 18 legislative races raised doubts about the legitimacy
of the voting process, according to Haiti’s main benefactors. |