UN envoy says Haiti should hold presidential elections despite earthquake’s ravages
By APThursday, March 4, 2010
UN envoy: Haiti should hold presidential election
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haitians must proceed with their presidential election this year despite the burden of earthquake damage, the top United Nations official in the country said Thursday.
Acting U.N. mission chief Edmond Mulet told The Associated Press that Haiti cannot afford constitutional “slippage” as it rebuilds from the Jan. 12 disaster.
Two elections had been scheduled this year before the quake ravaged the capital. Legislative elections planned for February were canceled, but no decision has been announced about the presidential contest slated for the fall.
President Rene Preval has pledged to step down at the end of his five-year term next February.
The current constitution bars Preval from seeking re-election. There is a constitutional reform effort under way that could change the limit, but Mulet said, “I can assure you he doesn’t want to stay” in office.
