HAITI: SUPPORTERS OF OUSTED PRESIDENT JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE ATTEMPT TO REGISTER THEIR IMPRISONED LAVALAS PARTY CANDIDATE FOR UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
Record ID:
442970
HAITI: SUPPORTERS OF OUSTED PRESIDENT JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE ATTEMPT TO REGISTER THEIR IMPRISONED LAVALAS PARTY CANDIDATE FOR UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
- Title: HAITI: SUPPORTERS OF OUSTED PRESIDENT JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE ATTEMPT TO REGISTER THEIR IMPRISONED LAVALAS PARTY CANDIDATE FOR UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
- Date: 23rd October 2005
- Summary: (BN01) CITE SOLEIL, PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (SEPTEMBER 13, 2005) (REUTERS) 1. VARIOUS OF LAVALAS SUPPORTERS DEMONSTRATING 2. DEMONSTRATORS HALTING THE DEMONSTRATION AT THE THE SIGHT OF UN PEACEKEEPERS 3. U.N. JORDANIAN PEACEKEEPERS WATCHING THE DEMONSTRATORS IN THE DISTANCE (BN01) BEL AIR, PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (SEPTEMBER 13, 2005) (REUTERS) 4. BEL AIR RESIDENTS DANCING IN THE STREETS IN PREPARATION FOR A MARCH TO THE REGISTRATION BUREAU 5. VARIOUS OF BRAZILIAN AND JORDANIAN U.N. PEACEKEEPERS RESPONDING TO GUNFIRE 6. BRAZILIAN U.N. PEACEKEEPERS ESCORTING THREE HAITIAN MEN TO THE UN FOR TRANSFER TO HAITIAN POLICE CUSTODY 7. BRAZILIAN U.N. PEACEKEEPERS PLACING THREE HAITIAN MEN INTO U.N. VEHICLE 8. FRONT GATE OF REGISTRATION BUREAU 9. PEOPLE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE BUREAU 10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER LAVALAS SENATOR, GERALD GILLES SAYING "But today, we wanted to have a million persons to accompany Father Jean-Juste for the registration, but they were stopped by the police and MINUSTAH [U.N. Mission] because they don't want this demonstration. But we continue, the process continues to register Gerard Jean-Juste because he is the choice of Family Lavalas and the choice of the people." 11. LAVALAS MEMBERS PRODUCING REGISTRATION MANDATE WRITTEN BY JEAN-JUSTE, GIVING AUTHORITY TO GERALD GILLES TO REGISTER HIM AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE 12. GILLES READING OVER ELECTION RULE BOOKLET 13. JOURNALISTS WITNESSING READING 14. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GILLES SAYING: "Here, the Electoral act of the CEP [Provisional Electoral Commission] - it demands the presence of the candidate. It's not correct." 15. EXTERIOR OF REGISTRATION BUREAU 2.11 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 7th November 2005 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: CITE SOLEIL AND BEL AIR, PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI
- Country: Haiti
- Reuters ID: LVACADPS20PMKBX8NCCIT9QWPG5F
- Story Text: Supporters of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide attempt to
register their Lavalas party candidate, who remains in prison, for upcoming presidential elections.
The political party of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide
attempted on Tuesday (September 13) to register its presidential candidate, Gerard Jean-Juste, who remains in prison, for the upcoming election.
Supporters of Aristide's Lavalas party turned out in the pro-Lavalas neighbourhoods of Cite Soleil and Bel Air to march in support of Jean-Juste's candidacy. However, the marches were cut short by U.N. and Haitian police due to a law that temporarily bans demonstrations.
Few people came out for the the Cite Soleil march, which remained
peaceful. However, during the Bel Air demonstration, gunfire broke out and five Haitian males were arrested.
At the registration bureau, former Lavalas Senator Gerald Gilles came to register Jean-Juste, who is in prison accused of being party to the kidnapping, torture and killing of a popular Haitian journalist. Jean-Juste has been held since early July without formal charges.
"But today, we wanted to have a million persons to accompany
Father Jean-Juste for the registration, but they were stopped by the police and MINUSTAH [U.N. Mission] because they don't want this demonstration. But we continue, the process continues to register Gerard Jean-Juste because he is the choice of Family Lavalas and the choice of the people," explained Gilles.
Although Gilles came with a letter from Jean-Juste authorizing him to make the registration, Jean-Juste's status as a candidate is still unclear since the Provisional Electoral Commission rule book states that each candidate must physically present himself at the registration bureau to declare his candidacy for president. Members of the Lavalas party, however, argue that no where in the Haitian constitution does registration require a candidate's physical presence. They also argue that Jean-Juste's arrest and detention are a breach of the constitution and are a direct attempt to prevent Lavalas from participating in the elections.
The first round of presidential and legislative elections will take
place on November 20 with a run-off on January 3 if needed.
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