Haitians march during a rally supporting presidential candidate René Preval in the volatile neighbourhood of Citi-Soleil in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday. - REUTERS
NEW YORK (CMC):
UNITED NATIONS Secretary General Kofi Annan says despite gains in addressing Haiti's electoral process, it still remains very fragile.
In a report released this week on the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti, Annan said there is need for more openness and improved decision-making in the electoral process.
"The credibility of the elections will depend upon the confidence of candidates and their constituencies, that the process is transparent and that a level playing field has been established," he said.
Annan said it is, therefore, significant that the transitional government address immediately deep concerns about the electoral law and adopt measures to facilitate inclusive and participatory elections.
CLEANING UP POLITICS
"It is essential to avoid any perception that the judicial process is being used in a way that could adversely affect political participation," he said.
"The provision of public financing to political parties would help reduce the risk of reliance upon dubious sources of funding."
The U.N. secretary general said it remains difficult to ensure that the political process is not tainted by candidates who are widely held by the public to be criminals or closely linked to gangs or criminal violence.
He said the ability of the Provisional Electoral Council to organise and administer the elections in a timely manner remains an issue, pointing out that the electoral preparations continue at "a slower pace than anticipated," and that a number of significant technical difficulties lie ahead.
Annan said even though the Provisional Electoral Council executive board was re-established on August 9, the institution continues to suffer from severe structural and operational shortcomings.
He said these handicaps have cast serious doubts on the board's ability to establish a full secretariat and meet crucial deadlines.
The delay in determining the location and number of polling stations, coupled with the late adoption of the electoral calendar, prevented the completion of the logistical and security plans for the elections, he said.
