OAS/CARICOM Mission in Haiti Observes the Process of Registration and Validation of Presidential Candidates
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – The Joint Mission of Electoral Observation of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), led by Ambassador Colin Granderson, has held its meetings with candidates, political parties, civil society organizations, national authorities and the technical and operational entities of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) for the next presidential elections in the Caribbean country.
The Mission took note of the smooth lottery held August 12 by the CEP to determine the order of the ballot of the new political parties registered in the presidential election.
Furthermore, the Mission observed the registration of presidential candidates and the process of litigation with the West I Office of Departmental Electoral Litigation (BCED). In this respect, the Mission followed with interest the arguments put forth by the lawyers representing the plaintiffs and the nine candidates involved, as well as the decisions of the BCED that followed.
The members of the Mission also took note of the resources used at the BCEN in agreement with article 185 of the current electoral law.
The Mission recognizes the work accomplished and the efforts shown by the personnel of the CEP, including all advisors, during this phase of litigation and resources. The Mission noted the limited material conditions available for the hearings of the BCED.
Given the scope of the work required by the BCEN for the use of available resources, the CEP has taken the decision to postpone the publication of the list of approved candidates from August 17 to 20, 2010. This delay has added to the suspense surrounding the presentation of the list and has brought with it a proliferation of rumors and speculation.
The communication of the contents of the list of candidates approved was conducted out loud and in a hurried way by the spokesperson of the CEP. Nineteen candidacies were approved by the electoral body, thus offering a large political spectrum to the Haitian electorate. Regarding the 15 candidacies that were deemed ineligible, explications about the reasons for invalidating them would have contributed to the transparency of the process.
The Mission appeals to the candidates, political parties and their followers to contribute to the stability of the ongoing electoral process by continuing to show public spirit and democratic involvement.
The end of this phase marks a key stage in the electoral process. The Mission encourages all stakeholders involved to continue their efforts toward the realization of credible, transparent and participative elections.
