The United States on Sunday called for the Haitian government to hold perpetuators of electoral violence accountable for their crimes, saying electoral intimidation and destruction of property were "unacceptable." This was after the elections were postponed due to protesters started burning votes and blocking roads.
Reuters reports that State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner released a statement earlier this week, stating that The United States has taken interest in the events unfolding during the Haiti elections, and "expects that persons responsible for organizing, financing, or participating in electoral intimidation and violence will be held accountable in accordance with Haitian law,"
Political unrest became rampant after accusations of fraud was hurled against the current president, which sparked the protests which caused the voting to be postponed indefinitely. New York Times reports that the protests started during the first round of voting in October last year, when candidates, supporters and Haitian leaders started flinging accusations of fraud at each other.
The United States have pressed to continue the runoff vote despite well-founded fears that the action would result in even more violence in the long run. Gédéon Jean, a human rights lawyer appointed to review the October election, suspected that this push for the continuation of the elections was due to the massive contribution given to the Haitian government to ensue a ""credible, inclusive, and legitimate" election. "The way American diplomats are supporting the election, is it because they don't want to lose that $33 million?" Jean said, in reference to the contribution given by the U.S. government.
However, the rampant violence and fraud allegations resulted in one of the two candidates boycotting the election, effectively rendering the election into a one-person presidential race. In other report from New York Times , opposition candidate Jude Celestin has refused to participate in the election due to the same fraud allegations that sparked violent protests all over the country. The election was postponed indefinitely while Haitian leaders negotiate a resolution to the crisis.The Provisional Electoral Council president, Pierre-Louis Opont said in a news conference that the delay was caused by "too much violence throughout the country," but there have been no further announcement as to when the elections will resume, if at all.
President Michel Martelly will still leave as scheduled on February 4. There is no news of a replacement or the implementation of an interim government after he leaves as of yet.
