August 3, 2015

Election campaigning has pretty well come to a stop for the nation as rival political groups clash openly.

VERITE, BOUCLIER, AND TET KALE have had expensive campaigns going for  a month, but these have died because of the dangers.

All other candidates have received th government checks, today, for clearance – perhaps – Wednesday – leaving them 3 days – were it not for the existing climate of danger – in which to campaign.

So they won’t campaign.

Mirabelais sees home invasions and shooting on the streets, as does Petit Goave and other centers around the nation.

Putting posters up is a life-threatening venture. This must be done in the wee small hours and then the posters are torn down the next day.

At least 6 people have been killed putting up posters.

Smaller problems face some voters. When asked if he would vote, one man said he couldn’t… “His voter registration card was in a pawn shop.”

This is not a Presidential Election and Haitians care only for the Presidency.

Because of this, we will predict a turnout of 2% or less.

Many are not interested in the Parliamentary Elections and will not vote.

Many will simply abstain – stay home, because of the perceived dangers.

Most Haitians are focused upon simple survival, from the everyday challenges to existing in a devastated society.

We predict violence before, or on the actual date of voting – Sunday.

There is a good possibility that the CEP will be seen for what it is – incompetent – without having completed the requirements for a vote.

Election materials are being distributed by private ONGs – paid for with millions of dollars controlled by the UN’s PNUD – that wonderful team that contracted to have ballots printed next door in Dubai!!

MINUSTAH should have been delegated for this duty, instead of a private group with absolutely no infrastructure for the task. You need a lot of people and vehicles.

USAID failed, in 1987, when they didn’t muster enough resources to distribute the ballots. 60% of the vote was cancelled on the Thursday before the Sunday election day then. It could happen again – in 2015.

We are not optimistic.

Millions wasted on a flawed vote. Money that would have been better spent on food for the children.

All of the election should be held on one day – for all offices, including that of the President.

A disaster is in the making.