Haiti’s BCEN to hear muncipal appeals as Canada deplores poll delay
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) — The National Office of Electoral Disputes (BCEN) says it will begin hearing later this week appeals made by candidates in the municipal elections on October 25 last year.
BCEN Vice-President Carlos Hercules said the three sections of the body will be constituted this week and that it will sit for about two weeks rendering its judgments on appeals made by candidates in the municipal elections in order to complete the publication of the results of those elections.
Each section of the BCEN will be composed of two electoral advisers, two lawyers and a judge of the Court of Appeal who will be selected by a draw on the day of the hearing to prevent any attempts at corrupting the officials.
Opposition politicians have claimed that the October 25 polls were rigged and have been calling for fresh elections. They have also filed several appeals rejecting the results in some areas.
Leader of notorious Haitian gang arrested
Jean Michel Hilaire, the head of infamous gang “High Voltage,” was arrested on May 2, Commissioner Jacques Ader announced. Police have been after this gang for nearly a year, to question the members about a series of crimes that took place over the past few months. They are accused of acts of vandalism, rape, robbery, racketeering and robbery.