1st LD: UN chief hails next phase of electoral process in Haiti

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday welcomed the next phase of the electoral process in Haiti and urged "all political parties, candidates and their supporters to conclude their electoral campaigns peacefully."

The next phase of the electoral process in the small Caribbean island country will take place on Oct. 25 with the first round of presidential elections, the second round of legislative elections and the holding of municipal elections.

Ban "reiterates his call to all Haitians to exercise their democratic right to vote," said a statement issued here Ban's spokesman.

"He commends Haiti's institutions, particularly the Provisional Electoral Council and the Haitian National Police, for the steps they have taken to facilitate a peaceful, inclusive and transparent vote on Sunday," it said.

The electoral processes could last until the end of the year and will aim to restore the Caribbean country's Parliament, which has been absent since January.

Early this year, the Haitian Electoral Council has formally proposed that elections for two-thirds of the senate and the chamber of deputies will be conducted on Aug. 9, with the presidential and municipal vote to be held on Oct. 25.

Also, parliamentary runoff elections are scheduled for Oct. 25, the same day as the first round of presidential and local elections. Presidential runoff elections are proposed to take place, if necessary, on Dec. 27. Enditem