Colin Granderson, the head of the joint observer mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the countries of the Caribbean Common Market (Caricom), ruled on Monday that elections in Haiti were valid, despite a series of violence and incidents who have led a majority of candidates to seek the annulment of the presidential election.

"The joint does not think that these irregularities, as serious as they are invalidate the election," said Colin Granderson. He listed "the late opening of polling stations, the difficulty of voters to find their polling place, the large number of voters who have not found their names on the registers and the call center meant to help voters to find their office, which was saturated"

Somewhat limited the list of the OAS/CARICOM on the irregularities and frauds... But we must remember that in these elections, Haiti did not have much to say, is internationally who decides what is good or what is not for us... Sometimes we wonder why our citizens have been voting...

For his part, Albert Ramdin, Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) said "I think the election is held, despite the irregularities that must be taken very seriously and be the subject of an investigation".

"The decision to seek annulment of the elections a few hours after the start of the process was hasty and regrettable," said Granderson. The observation mission he leads "demand that these parties provides evidence to the Electoral Council" allegations of frauds which they emitted at the time to invite to cancel the election.

Bob Maguire, a expert in Haiti and professor of international relations at Trinity Washington University in Washington, said that the international community should take the initiative in the coming days to investigate allegations of fraud and ensure that the next government in Haiti has legitimacy.

It is not enough international aid to legitimize a government, it is necessary that the turnout of the Haitian people at this election is important enough, what remains to be demonstrated (without fraud...).

S/ HaïtiLibre