Haiti’s leader says international help needed to organize presidential election

Haiti: Int’l aid needed to hold elections

BRASILIA, Brazil — Haiti’s leader on Monday called for an influx of international aid to organize elections this year as the impoverished Caribbean country rebuilds from the January earthquake that devastated the capital.

President Rene Preval made the comments after meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at the close of a meeting of Caribbean leaders. Preval said aid specific to elections is needed from Brazil and the rest of the international community.

Two elections had been scheduled this year before the quake ravaged Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Legislative elections planned for February were canceled, but no decision has been announced on the presidential contest set for the fall.

Haiti’s current constitution bars Preval from seeking re-election. His five-year term ends next February and he has vowed to step down.

Antonio Patriota, Brazil’s vice minister for external relations, said his government will consult with the United Nations, the Organization of American States and other countries to support elections in Haiti.