PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — About 2,000 demonstrators have marched in Haiti’s capital calling for resolution to a protracted impasse that has repeatedly postponed a runoff presidential election.
Protesters carried placards emblazoned with photos of Jovenel Moise, a businessman who was the leading candidate in the disputed first-round of voting.
Demonstrator Sabrina Demosthil says marchers are “calling for the runoff to be held as quickly as possible.”
A national police officer tries to stop a clash between supporters of presidential candidate Jovenel Moise, from the PHTK political party with residents from a neighborhood during a march to demand the second round presidential election in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, April 24, 2016. Official results said government-backed candidate Jovenel Moise got some 33 percent of first-round voting, putting him in a runoff with second-place finisher Jude Celestin. Celestin dismissed the results as a fraudulent “farce.” Haiti has repeatedly postponed a runoff vote. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
Sunday was selected as election day in an early February accord negotiated by legislative leaders and then-President Michel Martelly.
But there seemed little chance of Haiti meeting that deadline. Now, interim President Jocelerme Privert says the vote should be held late next month.
It remains uncertain when balloting will actually be held. A five-member commission is preparing to evaluate last year’s contested rounds.
Moise is Martelly’s preferred successor.
Supporters of presidential candidate Jovenel Moise, from the PHTK political party hold up their national identification, during a protest to demand the second round presidential election in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, April 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
A supporter of presidential candidate Jovenel Moise, from the PHTK political party rest in front of a police barricade at the entrance of the Electoral Council building during a protest to demand the second round presidential election, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, April 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
A supporter of presidential candidate Jovenel Moise, from the PHTK political party holds up a banana and his national identification, during a protest to demand the second round presidential election in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, April 24, 2016. Moise is known as a successful banana farmer and the banana has become a symbol of his campaign. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
A supporter of presidential candidate Jovenel Moise, from the PHTK political party holds up his national ID and a sign that read’s in Creole ” If you touch Jovenel, we will burn,” in front of a police barricade at the entrance of the Electoral Council building, during a protest to demand the second round presidential election in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, April 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
Some supporters of presidential candidate Jovenel Moise, from the PHTK political party sit on the ground in front of a Police barricade at the entrance of the Electoral Council building while they hold up their national ID and bananas, during a protest to demand the second round presidential election in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, April 24, 2016. Moise is known as a successful banana farmer and the banana has become a symbol of his campaign. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
A voodoo priest performs a ceremony before the start of a protest to demand the second round presidential election in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, April 24, 2016. Official results said government-backed candidate Jovenel Moise got some 33 percent of first-round voting, putting him in a runoff with second-place finisher Jude Celestin. Celestin dismissed the results as a fraudulent “farce.” Haiti has repeatedly postponed a runoff vote. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
Supporters of presidential candidate Jovenel Moise, from the PHTK political party take tires to burn in the street during a protest to demand the second round presidential election in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, April 24, 2016. Official results said government-backed candidate Jovenel Moise got some 33 percent of first-round voting, putting him in a runoff with second-place finisher Jude Celestin. Celestin dismissed the results as a fraudulent “farce.” Haiti has repeatedly postponed a runoff vote. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
A supporter of presidential candidate Jovenel Moise, from the PHTK political party holds up a picture of him during a protest to demand the second round presidential election in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, April 24, 2016. Official results said government-backed candidate Jovenel Moise got some 33 percent of first-round voting, putting him in a runoff with second-place finisher Jude Celestin. Celestin dismissed the results as a fraudulent “farce.” Haiti has repeatedly postponed a runoff vote. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
A supporter of presidential candidate Jovenel Moise, from the PHTK political party holds up a banana and his national identification during a protest to demand the second round presidential election in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, April 24, 2016. Moise is known as a successful banana farmer and the banana has become a symbol of his campaign. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)