“Pran La Ri a”, “Reklame Vot la”

Is it incompetence or corruption? Just 5 days after the election this past Tuesday Haitians are demanding results now and the loudest demands are coming from Preval’s camp. All over Haitian radio stations today citizens called in to encourage people to “Pran la ri a”, “Reklame vot la” (Take to the streets, Reclaim the vote). As the CEP continues to tabulate the vote and Preval’s percentage drops his supporters are screaming corruption even though he still holds a commanding lead, last reported as 49% of the vote, but just short of the 50% needed to win the first round outright. This lead after the Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas were tabulated teetered around 70% but as votes came in from around the country where Preval has less support his numbers naturally started to decline.

Where is the leadership? Right now there are reports coming in about thousands of people in the streets (not just for Sunday carnival) blocking key election landmarks. Do the future leaders of this country want to see more violence? Why are they not talking to their supporters encouraging everyone to wait for the process to take its course? Because of Haiti's corrupt history I understand the suspicions but it is too early and too costly to cry corruption. This election was postponed 4 times before it took place. This time lets hope its just more incompetence.