Haiti: Ex-president Aristide's party signs up for elections

by reposted

Tue, Aug 9, 2005 1:26PM

Representatives of the Lavalas Family Party of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti signed up Monday for elections scheduled for later this year.

Former legislators of the party went to the office of the Acting Electoral Council to sign up as the procedures required for the registration of the party, according to reports from Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti.

To the moment, as many as 63 parties have been registered for the upcoming elections, though the international community has called for the fusion of political forces.

Last week, Juan Gabriel Valdes, UN special envoy to Haiti, asked the Lavalas Family Party to register for the elections.

He said "the registration of Lavalas Family Party is essential for the elections."

Haiti is to hold municipal elections on Oct. 9, followed by legislative and presidential elections on Nov. 13. If needed, a runoff will be held on Dec. 18.

Since the 2004 ouster of ex-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who is now in exile in South Africa, more than 1,000 people have died in violence and clashes between the police and the ex-president's followers.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-08/09/content_3329197.htm

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