Kim Ives: World Intellectuals and Activists Call to Annul Elections

[EFerrari]

As Election Boycott Takes Shape:
World Intellectuals and Activists Call to Annul Elections

by Kim Ives

This year’s Carnaval “is not really taking," explains Yves Pierre-Louis, an organizer with the Heads Together of Popular Organizations (Tèt Kole Oganizasyon Popilè), a broad front of Haitian grassroots groups.

Crowds have been thin and enthusiasm weak during the current Mardi Gras celebration (which culminates Mar. 8) due to a lack of government funding and a malaise which hangs over the country where more than one million earthquake victims remain homeless in growingly tattered IDP camps and where “a mockery of an election, which will result in the ‘selection’ of one of two arch-reactionaries to be President, is being shoved down our throat by the so-called international community,” he said.

The run-off, between former First Lady Mirlande Manigat and former konpa singer Michel “Sweet Micky” Martelly is scheduled to take place on Mar. 20, and the two candidates are crisscrossing Haiti with campaign rallies in towns, large and small.

There is only one small problem: the election is illegal under Haiti’s Constitution and Electoral Law. Only four of the eight-member Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) have voted to proceed with the second round, one short of the fi ve necessary. Furthermore, the fi rst round results have not been published in the journal of record, Le Moniteur, and President Préval has not offi cially convoked Haitians to vote, both constitutional requirements.

http://www.haiti-liberte.com/archives/volume4-34/As%20Election%20Boycott%20Takes%20Shape.asp

[Judi Lynn]

1. Thanks for your post. When I read it earlier tonight, I rec'd it, only to get a "0" rec.

Unrec'ing must be the only satisfaction in life someone here ever gets.

Thanks for focusing us on this info. concerning the election, real or fixed, and what should be allowed to be the safe return of a beloved figure.

[naaman fletcher]

2. perhaps the satisfaction comes from

your whining about such a trivial issue.

[Peace Patriot]

3. I rec'ed it, too, Judi, and the total rec's is still zero. Weird. Why would someone want to

dampen discussion of this issue (other than those who might be paid to do it--$9 BILLION aid money at issue in Haiti, corporate vultures circling, and inclusion of Haiti in the State Department's and Pentagon's "circle the wagon" region for U.S. "free trade for the rich" enforced by the U.S. military is also at issue, with this U.S.-rigged election and Aristide apparently on his way to Haiti). (Lots of reasons for someone to pay someone--or two--to mess with public opinion.)

[Wilms]

4. I rec'd it as well. So that's three we're aware of.

So there are three unrecr's here.

That would be...oh never mind. We all know who the LA Teabaggers are.

[rabs]

5. Recced it also.

Looks like the resident faschistoides are dancing around the Maypole -- or something.

:-)

[Bacchus39]

9. I tried to unrecommend but it was too late. that means that at least 3 people believe Haiti should

continue with their plans to elect a new leader I postulate.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bacchus39]

11. yes, at least 3 who aren't afraid of information or elections in Haiti n/t

s

[joshcryer]

12. I'm waiting to see how it goes, if there's a massive turnout it'll be wrong to treat Haiti like...

...Honduras because the United States bribe taking puppet Aristide won't be available to be anointed the presidency.

[joshcryer]

6. What do they expect the turnout to be?

What level of turnout would be necessary for the vote to be respected here?

[Judi Lynn]

7. Do a poll. You've got the resources available, thanks to D.U. n/t

[joshcryer]

8. I will wait for the elections to see the outcome.