PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti — Following statements regarded as incitement to violence issued by former Haitian president Jean Bertrand Aristide, as part of the election campaign of Maryse Narcisse, presidential candidate under the banner of Aristide’s Parti Famni Lavalas, in Cité Soleil last Sunday, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has summoned the Lavalas candidate to appear and explain the statements.
Aristide had called on his supporters to resort to dechoucage (violent protests) if the elections did not take place on November 20, calling such violence a means of self-defence against those who oppose the victory of Famni Lavalas, HaitiLibre reported.
“In accordance with the provisions of Chapter VIII of the Electoral Decree, which deals with the electoral campaign, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) invites you to come … in order to shed light on certain statements made during your electoral campaign in recent days,” stated a letter addressed to the candidate, dated Wednesday and bearing the signature of Léopold Berlanger, the president of the CEP.
Haitian law stipulates that “Throughout the electoral process, candidates and their supporters must observe a correct attitude. They must refrain from any incitement to violence and any act jeopardizing the life and property of the population subject to penalties under the Penal Code.”
The CEP may remove anyone convicted of a breach of the law from the list of approved candidates and suspend political parties or political groups for up to five years.
Several members of Fanmi Lavalas believe that this decision of the CEP to summon Narcisse proves that some members of the CEP are always hostile to the party. Printemps Belizaire described it as “a plot to pass the recent statements of former President Jean Bertrand Aristide as an incitement to violence.”
