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2nd LD Writethru: UN chief hails next phase of electoral process in Haiti

Xinhua, October 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

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 Sunday 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.

The country witnessed deadly pre-election violence flared up in some regions and resulted in the killings of two pregnant women and at least 13 other people in the densely-populated district of shacks, reports said Monday.

"The secretary-general deplores the violent incidents that occurred in some locations during the first round of legislative elections on 9 August," the statement said. "He calls on the Haitian authorities to ensure that all perpetrators of electoral violence are brought to justice."

"The secretary-general urges all political parties, candidates and their supporters to conclude their electoral campaigns peacefully, resolve any disputes that may arise through established legal procedures and support the Provisional Electoral Council in the next stage of the process," said the statement.

Ban reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations to extend its full support to the Haitian people in the fulfilment of their democratic aspirations, the statement added.

This year's three rounds of balloting are unprecedented in the country, and the elections will pick Haiti's next president, two-thirds of the Senate, the entire 119-member Chamber of Deputies and numerous local offices.

The Oct. 25 vote is expected to clear the sprawling presidential field for a runoff Dec. 27 between the top two finishers. Endit