Port-au-Prince is under high security on the eve of the elections, but there are serious concerns about the possibility of massive voter fraud designed to necessitate a second round of the elections

Port-au-Prince, February 6, 2006 (AHP)- Calm prevailed in  Port-au-Prince on the eve of Tuesday's elections for a new president and 129 members of Parliament.  

Soldiers from MINUSTAH and police officers from the United Nations Police (UNPOL) and the Haitian National Police (PNH) are present everywhere in the capital, (Port-au-Prince), to prevent any possible acts of violence that could disrupt the first elections to be held since the sudden departure of President Aristide on February 29, 2004.  

At the same time, rumors have been circulating throughout the day about possible attempts at vote fraud.  

The supporters of the Platform of Hope and many diplomats accredited to Haiti declare they are practically certain of victory this February 7th for candidate René Garcia Préval, while sectors close to the former opposition to Aristide are counting on the possibility that one of their candidates may make it to the second round.  

Incidents of destruction of photos of Préval were observed this Monday in the vicinity of Frères and Petion-Ville.

Reports have also circulated regarding the discovery of ballot boxes stuffed with ballots at a home in Delmas 65, while an individual close to the CEP tried to reassure the public's concerns about the possible existence of fictitious polling stations.  

One individual was arrested last week at the Haitian-Dominican border with ballot boxes in his possession that were full of ballots already marked for a candidate of the former opposition to Aristide.  

People gathered at mid-day along the Champs-de-Mars not far from the National Palace chanting "the vote in favor of the favorite will be so massive there will be no room for shenanigans".  

A short time later, young professionals who were having drinks at a bar in Pétion-Ville were voicing their opinions.  

" We are counting heavily on the Americans not to let someone loyal to Aristide be elected just two years after his ouster" said one of the bar patrons.  

Another replied "any attempt at fraud with which one sector or another of the international community might choose to associate itself would only plunge the country deeper into chaos".  

Numerous sectors of the population say they are counting on the presence of tens of thousands of international observers and poll watchers from the political parties to deflect any attempt at dirty tricks, some of which could be very subtle, in their opinion.  

At least five members of the body tasked with organizing the 2006 elections are members of parties of the former opposition to Aristide that are in the race for this election.  

CEP Secretary General  Rosemond Pradel is a high-ranking official of  KONAKOM, one of the three parties of the Fusion coalition whose presidential candidate is Serge Gilles, while Father Freud Jean is a member of the directorate of the OPL party (Organization of the People in Struggle) which is running Paul Denis as its candidate for president. Pastor Pauris Jean-Baptiste, CEP Treasurer François Benoit, and CEP member Joséphat Gauthier all belong to the Group of 184, the organization of  André Apaid Junior to which the independent candidate Charles Henri Baker belongs.

In other election news, the Provisional Electoral Council held a ceremony monday to inaugurate a center for releasing the results of the 2006 elections.  

CEP Executive Director Jacques Bernard described the opening of this center as a clear, positive step toward modernization with regard to the holding of transparent elections in Haiti.  

Mr. Bernard reiterated the determination of the CEP to facilitate the smooth running of the elections.  

"Everything is all set from the CEP's point of view for the holding of the presidential and legislative elections on February 7th", declared  Mr. Bernard, who asked the public to turn out massively at the polls to choose capable leaders to help Haiti find its way out of the  impasse.  

 He appealed for solidarity and civic fraternity from all who are fortunate enough to know how to read, urging them to come to the assistance of people who are unable to identify the polling offices and polling stations.  

Emphasizing that the future of Haiti is in the hands of the population, Mr. Bernard said he believes that the collaboration of all is very important to the smooth running of the elections.  

The center where the elections results will be released is the only official voice of the CEP, mandated to communicate the results of the elections. It will welcome the new members of the government, representatives of the diplomatic corps, observers, and more than 500 journalists, said Mr. Bernard.

Mr. Bernard went on to recall that the counting of ballots will be down in the open, in the presence of representatives of political parties, journalists and observers.

AHP  February 6, 2006 11:3O PM