- Title: HAITI: Haitian presidential candidates debate as election nears
- Date: 10th March 2011
- Summary: PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (MARCH 09, 2011) (REUTERS) ( ** BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) SALON IN THE KARIBE HOTEL WHERE HAITIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES MIRLANDE MANIGAT AND MICHEL MARTELLY HELD DEBATE DOOR TO THE HOTEL UNDER HEAVY SECURITY MANIGAT AND MARTELLY GREETING EACH OTHER BEFORE THE DEBATE PEOPLE IN AUDIENCE HAITIAN COAT OF ARMS CLOSE-UP OF MANIGAT DURING DEBATE CLOSE-UP OF MARTELLY GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES THE TWO CANDIDATES DURING THE DEBATE THE DEBATE THE TWO CANDIDATES ADDRESSING THE HAITIAN PEOPLE TOGETHER PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE APPLAUDING (SOUNDBITE) (Creole) HAITIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, MIRLANDE MANIGAT, SAYING: "The people have to know who they are going to vote for and who they are going to chose this time, not between 19 candidates, but only two. The people must know what each candidate proposes. Obviously, I hope the people make a good choice and vote for Mirlande Manigat, number 68. Yes, I am satisfied with the debate, in all, it was organized well despite a few small problems and I don't answer the verbal attacks from the other candidate." THE CANDIDATES SURROUNDED BY CONTRIBUTORS (SOUNDBITE) (Creole) HAITIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, MICHEL MARTELLY, SAYING: "I think, and it is my opinion, that everyone who supports the continuation [of the system] are against the people and against the poor. If someone says they don't understand what is happening in the country they are against the people. I know the polls or the opinion of the press isn't true, the voice of the people is what matters and I believe in that. Be ready because on March 20 and one month afterwards Michel Martelly will be president of Haiti." THE ENTRANCE TO THE KARIBE HOTEL VARIOUS OF MANIGAT SUPPORTERS WITH SIGNS AND BANNERS OUTSIDE THE HOTEL VARIOUS OF MARTELLY SUPPORTERS WITH SIGNS AND BANNERS OUTSIDE THE HOTEL
- Embargoed: 25th March 2011 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Haiti, Haiti
- Country: Haiti
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAIZHRFLFUTI84Q66F8J5BP8DZ
- Story Text: Haiti's rival presidential candidates squared off in a debate on Wednesday (March 9), addressing a divided electorate from the heavily guarded Karibe Hotel ahead of the country's upcoming runoff election.
Former First Lady Mirlande Manigat and pop star-turned-candidate Michel "Sweet Mickey" Martelly are in the final round of campaigning before the March 20 election.
Wednesday's debate was the first and only one between the two candidates since November 2010 turbulent first round.
The debate was overseen by governmental representatives as well as representatives from the Organization of American States who were in attendance.
Manigat addressed voters directly stressing the importance of their voice for the outcome.
"The people have to know who they are going to vote for and who they are going to chose this time, not between 19 candidates, but only two. The people must know what each candidate proposes. Obviously, I hope the people make a good choice and vote for Mirlande Manigat, number 68. Yes, I am satisfied with the debate, in all, it was organized well despite a few small problems and I don't answer the verbal attacks from the other candidate," Manigat said.
Martelly said in the end only the final vote counts as he positioned himself as a candidate for change.
"I think, and it is my opinion, that everyone who supports the continuation [of the system] are against the people and against the poor. If someone says they don't understand what is happening in the country they are against the people. I know the polls or the opinion of the press isn't true, the voice of the people is what matters and I believe in that. Be ready because on March 20 and one month afterwards Michel Martelly will be president of Haiti," Martelly said.
November's election ended in a haze of chaos and confusion amid allegations of fraud as Haitians waited for official results.
Speculation and tension dominated the following months as the Electoral Council sorted out the results, leaving everyone wondering who of the three leading candidates - Manigat, Martelly or ruling party candidate Jude Celestin - would wind up in the second round.
Under heavy international pressure, Celestin eventually withdrew in the face of fraud accusations, leaving Manigat and Martelly as the final contenders. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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