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UN Security Council concerned about indefinite postponement of elections in Haiti

Xinhua, January 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

The UN Security Council on Friday expressed its strong concern about the indefinite postponement of the final round of elections in Haiti, said a press statement of the council.

Haiti had been scheduled to hold a runoff presidential vote on Jan. 24. But electoral authorities postponed it indefinitely amid violent opposition protests and allegations that the first round of the elections was marred by rampant fraud.

The members of the Security Council expressed their concern that "the delay in elections may undermine Haiti's ability to address the security, economic and social challenges it faces," said the statement.

The Security Council strongly encouraged the Executive, the Parliament, and other relevant political actors to come to an agreement by Feb. 7, providing a Haitian-led and owned roadmap for the swift conclusion of the current electoral cycle, it said.

The council also commended the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the Haitian National Police for their efforts to contain the violence and protect the civilians.

At the same time, it reiterated its strong condemnation of any attempt to destabilize the electoral process, in particular by force, while pledging to continue to follow closely the situation in Haiti.

After the first round of presidential elections in October 2015, the opposition candidate Jude Celestin claimed that the government of President Michel Martelly had been manipulating results in favor of its candidate Jovenel Moise.

President Michel Martelly is due to leave office on Feb. 7. Endit