Jovenel Moise of PHTK ‘Bald Heads Party’ declared winner of Haiti 20th November Presidential Election

Photo Credit: VOA News

​Caribbean News Service reported from Port Au Prince, Haiti, on November 30, 2016, that Jovenel Moise of the PHTK, the ‘Bald Heads Party’, was declared winner of the November 20th presidential election, according to the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). Moise, a plantation owner, received 595,430 votes or 55.6% of votes cast, defeating Jude Célestin of the LAPEH Party of former president Michel Martelly, who received 208,837 votes or 19.52% of the popular votes.
 
The other presidential candidates Jean-Charles Moïse, of the Pitit Dessalines received 118,142 votes or 11.04 % while Maryse Narcisse, of the Fanmi Lavalas and who was a spokeswoman for former president Jean Bertrand Aristide, received 96,121 votes or 8.99% of the popular votes. The announcement by the CEP came as protestors took to the streets, breaking windshields of motor vehicles, throwing rocks, and in some areas, gunshots being heard.
 
The protestors were enraged that the CEP, which had promised to make the announcement early Monday, had not done so late into the night. Interim leader Jocelerme Privert had appealed for calm ahead of the announcement. He said, “Resorting to acts of violence can only spoil the fruits of the beautiful day we had on 20th November”.
 
CEP President Léopold Berlanger said the late announcement of the results was due to necessary “democratic work”, and that he was anxious to respect Monday’s date. At least three of the CEP advisers did not sign the results.
 
According to the electoral calendar, the next step will be “Filing of challenges”, scheduled for 3rd to 5th December, followed by the “Treatment of challenges at BCED” from 6th to 17th December. The “Display of the BCED Decision” is scheduled for December 18, followed by “Filing of challenges BCEN” from December 19 to 21.
 
The “Preparation of final results after litigation” will take place on December 28, with the publication of the final results, for both the presidential and legislative polls, scheduled for December 29.