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(E-070/00)
Port-au-Prince, March 31, 2000

 

STATEMENT FROM OAS ELECTORAL MISSION IN HAITI

 

The OAS Electoral Observation Mission has learned of the agreement reached over the last few days by the electoral authorities and the political parties of the Grande Anse, in an effort to find a solution to the electoral crisis in Anse d’Hainault. According to the principal parties involved, the crisis was provoked by the illegal disqualification of a mayoral candidate by the Communal Electoral Office (BEC). The national electoral authorities have since resolved the situation.

The Mission applauds this important initiative and congratulates the parties involved, who have shown a spirit of dialogue and flexibility in their goal to resolve this crisis, which threatened to deprive the citizens of Anse d’Hainault of their right to vote. Such initiatives are a model for conflict resolution in a democratic society and this spirit of dialogue is the only way to guarantee democratic development in Haiti.

The Mission calls on the parties to respect the commitments made to facilitate the legislative, municipal and local elections in the commune of Anse d’Hainault. The Mission also encourages all political movements of the Grande Anse to join this process of negotiation. In doing so, they will ensure that their concerns about the electoral process in this commune are taken into account in a democratic manner .

The Electoral Observation Mission emphasizes that it is vital that the legislative, municipal and local elections take place in Anse d’Hainault, as well as the rest of the country on a date that will allow Parliament to convene on the second Monday of June as mandated in the constitution. Through its regional office in Jérémie, the Mission will continue to closely follow the electoral situation in Anse d’Hainault. The Mission reaffirms the importance of parliamentary, municipal and local elections for the consolidation of democracy in Haiti.

For further information, please contact the press officer Mary Durran on 511 5690 or 403 0219 or the coordinator of the regional office in Jérémie, Alfred John on 284

 

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