It was a day of missing ballots, late starts — and relative calm — in
In some places, there were no ballots. In others, there was only dry ink to mark a voter’s finger. In many more, disenfranchised voters were turned away from polls and boisterous political party operatives got in the way.
But despite the irregularities, authorities said the day went smoothly, without the widespread fraud that marred November’s election.
“”Democracy is on the brink of winning a big victory in our country,”” said Gaillot Dorsinville, the head of the
The second round was between musician
The winner will replace
Preliminary results are expected
The elections took place two days after the return of former President
Voting appeared light in
“”The political class hasn’t shown any results for
When Martelly showed up to cast his ballot, hundreds of jubilant roaring supporters people took over the streets. After Manigat voted, crowds chanted — for her opponent.
Charlemagne Achille, 25, who was unable to vote in November because he could not find his name on the electoral list, said Martelly represents the change
“”I want this country to move forward,”” Achille said, standing outside
But others were turned off by singer’s often bawdy style on stage.
“”I’m a Christian, a Baptist. I can’t have a guy who is used to making a spectacle of himself in the streets to go sit down with world leaders and represent us,”” said
Police said at least one person was killed in
Seventy-four voting centers out of 1,500, including the four largest in
“”The atmosphere was calm and people seem relaxed,”” he said.
Hours after polls opened, there were reports of missing and mixed-up voter material in the West department that includes the
At one center with 22 polling stations, elections authorities sent ballots for
At the
“”It’s fraud,”” said
Dozens of people were turned away from polling places in Gonaives when they couldn’t find their names on the master list. A Canadian observer noted that many of the people whose names were not on lists were over the age of 70.
Ladimene Lassere, the supervisor in a rural Poteau district, said no more than 50 people were turned away there.
“”It’s a lot more than 50!”” shouted back