Haiti’s outgoing leader met with election authorities Tuesday in search of a solution to the country’s deepening electoral impasse, after an official said it would be impossible to hold a presidential runoff in time for a transfer of power by the constitutional deadline. President Michel Martelly announced last week that Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council was warning that the runoff must be held by Jan. 17 to fulfill the constitutional mandate of inaugurating a new president Feb. 7.
But in a Monday letter to Martelly, council chief Pierre-Louis Opont said more time was needed to organize the already once-postponed runoff, writing that 12 days of preparation “will not be sufficient.”
If there is another delay, a transitional government may have to be formed in the impoverished country where elections are never easy and allegations of vote manipulation are common.
Full Article: Haiti election chief says runoff can’t be held by Jan. 17 – The Washington Post.
