PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – Protesters have set fire to the headquarters of the ruling political party as thousands of people took to the streets yesterday protesting the preliminary results of the disputed presidential and legislative council elections held late last month.
The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) Tuesday announced that former first lady, Mirlande Manigat, and the government-backed candidate, Jude Celestin would contest the second-round runoff in January.
Television pictures showed the flames leaping from Unity party headquarters and eyewitnesses said that security guards shot demonstrators as they assaulted the building.
The protestors have erected barricades all over the capital and have also used big chunks of concrete to block roads making it impossible for law enforcement authorities to move in to halt the disturbances.
The CEP said that Manigat, a law professor received 31 per cent of the votes, followed by Celestin with 22 per cent.
But supporters of Michel Martelly, a popular musician also known as Sweet Mickey, who came in just behind Celestin with slightly more than 21 per cent, have blamed outgoing President Rene Preval and electoral officials for rigging the results in favour of Celestine.
Radio stations in Haiti, said that in Cité Soleil, one of the country’s largest slum, there were shootings and two possible casualties as rival party supports clashed with each other.
Most businesses have been closed and many workers and children have remained home.
There were also reports of protests in Cap Haitien and Les Cailles.
American Airlines said Wednesday it has halted flights in and out of the Haiti because airport employees were unable to get to work because of the demonstrations.
The November 28 election was marred by reports of fraud and blatant ballot-box stuffing, and many of the 19 presidential candidates had called for the vote to be cancelled. (CMC)
