OAS Urges Credible Elections in Haiti, Warns Against Contested Vote
Secretary General Albert Ramdin closed his Port-au-Prince mission by pressing for inclusive elections amid gaps in voter registration.
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, called for credible and inclusive elections in Haiti during a press conference held Wednesday, August 19, at the end of his visit to Port-au-Prince, Le Nouvelliste reported. Ramdin stressed the need for an inclusive vote while cautioning against a contested electoral outcome. According to the outlet, several communes in the West, Centre and Artibonite departments do not yet have voter registration centers in place. Asked by Le Nouvelliste about the feasibility of holding a first round on December 13, Ramdin recalled that the date and calendar had been set by Haitian authorities. The remarks came as Ramdin's mission concluded with a closing cocktail Tuesday at the Hotel El Rancho, attended by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship. The visit was devoted to discussions on security, elections and the country's development. "Haiti is not alone and its recovery remains a cause carried by the entire region," Fils-Aimé said, according to Le Nouvelliste. Separately, Haitian Times reported a $3 million OAS-Japan agreement to expand Haiti's ID system ahead of the elections.