Delegate Christensen Expresses Deep Concern with Complaints, Incidents Marring Haiti Elections

Contact: Aesha Duval at 340-778-5900 or Aesha.duval@mail.house.gov

Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen and other Members of Congress returned to Washington D.C. after getting a birds-eye view of Haiti’s national election on Sunday. Congresswoman Christensen said she and other Members are very concerned following initial reports of violence, fraud and voters being turned away from the polls. Christensen said there were complaints of voters not being able to vote because they did not have their voter ID cards or their names were not listed and of voters experiencing difficulty figuring out where to vote. It was unclear if any of these issues were ever resolved, said Christensen.

There were unconfirmed reports of violence at polling places on Sunday, Christensen said, and of the 19 presidential candidates, 12 or 13 of them have called for Sunday’s election to be voided.

“This is a cause for concern and needs a response,” said Congresswoman Christensen. “It also calls into question if this election is ever going to be accepted. I would hope that from the discussion between the candidates and ambassadors and perhaps with outgoing President Rene Preval’s involvement, they can resolve this issue.”

Christensen added that the current administration is being blamed and she is concerned that the violence could deteriorate an already bad situation in Haiti.

Congresswoman Christensen said the Delegation would have liked the opportunity to meet with President Preval, but added she was glad that the U.S. Delegation made the trip and were able to visit two polling stations in Port-au-Prince and speak with voters. The Delegation also met with Haitian Prime Minister Jean Max Bellerive, the U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Merten, United Nations officials, as well as officials from non-government organizations and the Organization of American States, which were involved in preparing and overseeing the election. Despite calls for cancellation prior to Sunday’s elections, Christensen said it was vital that Sunday’s election took place because Haiti’s parliament had been dissolved.

Christensen said the Delegation will meet later today to discuss any new information and determine their next step.
“The trip was extremely beneficial since we were on the ground and got to speak to voters themselves and the people running the election, instead of hearing reports from the media,” Christensen said. “It was a snapshot of the whole picture and we received additional reports from other polling places across the country from non-government organizations.”

Also part of the U.S. Delegation to Haiti on Sunday were House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL), Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA), and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA).

Christensen said the Delegation will continue to monitor Haiti’s elections. Results of the election will be announced on December 7.