Let's take the facts: 45% of the people lost their voter ID -- you cannot vote without one; the voter registration logs need to be updated to (tragically) account for the 300,000 deaths during the earthquake; the CEP facility and 66% of the polling stations were destroyed; MINUSTAH headquarters were destroyed; and, 4 of the 10 Departments were directly impacted and sustained damage the other six were affected by the heavy number of displaced people that are still occupying the public facilities use in the past as polling centers, so there are really no polling places. Furthermore, the current CEP has been totally discredited for past participate in election rigging in 2009 in favor of President's Preval party so any elections organized by this CEP would be viewed as tainted. Two of the past CEP presidents have said that there is no possible way to address all these technical issues by November. The current nine members of the Provisional Electoral Council are corrupt according to Haiti's official anti-corruption unit and were involved in the manipulation of the results of the April and June 2009 elections in favor of President Preval's party.
There is a credible and tested alternative to rushing forward with what will surely be flawed elections. Article 149 of the constitution stipulates that the President of the Supreme Court can take over as provisional president to manage the day-to-day aspects of governance and organize elections. This has been invoked twice in the past and resulted in two successful elections in 1990 and 2006. This should be Haiti's path now.
Let us not forget that every single political crisis in Haiti for the past two decades has been the direct result of rigged elections. We absolutely do not need to compound the fragile situation in Haiti with a political crisis.
The international community has the right intentions, but has made a fundamental miscalculation about the Haitian people. They will not swallow tainted elections for the greater good. It is best to get the elections right and not rush forward under these conditions.
Franck: It almost sounds like you're outlining a campaign platform. Are you running for President?
Stanley Lucas: I'm focused on rebuilding, recovery and getting help to my fellow countrymen who are really suffering. Haitians have a proud past. We are an industrious and exceptional people and I want to contribute to restoring our country and putting us on a path to becoming the vibrant, developing country that I know we can be.
Franck: Thank you Stanley I appreciate your time.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
