HAITI ELECTIONS OBSERVATIONS #2

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 000261 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR S/CRS SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA) WHA/EX PLEASE PASS USOAS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PKAO KDEM HA SUBJECT: HAITI ELECTIONS OBSERVATIONS #2 ¶1. This message is sensitive but unclassified; please protect accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: Haiti remained calm on election day minus two. Election Observation Teams (EOTs) in Port-au-Prince reported that the streets were quiet and that elections authorities continued to finalize preparations at voting centers (VCs). The CEP and MINUSTAH preparations at the national tabulation center and the media center appear on track. EOTs reported some confusion at outlying VCs, including ongoing disputes over poll-working hiring. Preparations at several of the larger mega-centers, including several in and near to Port-au-Prince appear to proceeding on schedule. Provincial EOTs reported much the same: the countryside appears calm and final preparations are in place at the voting centers. Elections officials will continue distributing cards until COB February 6. MINUSTAH started delivering sensitive voting materials to the provincial VCs. According to EOTs in Port-au-Prince, some local security guards at several VCs have not reported for work, a cause for concern since sensitive materials are scheduled to arrive tomorrow at many sites. End Summary. -------------- -------------- Port-au-Prince: Final Preparations Proceeding -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The voting tabulation center is fully operational and in its tenth day of tabulation simulations. Elections officials continue to distribute identity cards, and report over 90 percent distribution in most areas. Port-au-Prince EOTs noted some confusion regarding changes in the locations of VCs, particularly since identity cards no longer indicated the correct location of VCs. However, radio stations are announcing changes to voting sites and newspapers are printing the revisions. ¶3. (SBU) An EOT visited the voting mega-center in Leogane, where the BEC vice-president reported that preparations were in place: officials had completed poll worker training and voting materials were due to arrive tomorrow. -------------- -------------- Provincial EOTs: Card Distribution Complete -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Haiti,s countryside remains calm. BECs reported high numbers of registered voters who have picked up their identity cards. EOT Jeremie noted apathy among the voting populace, whereas EOT Hinche reported enthusiasm among the electorate, despite the lengthy (one hour or more) walking distance to the Voting Centers. ¶5. (SBU) Final preparations are in place at the Voting Centers (VCs) although last-minute training and hiring of workers has caused some confusion. The MOCHRENA party complained that only two of their workers were hired to work in the Cap Haitien VCs. In Les Cayes, the BED Vice-President complained that the list of VC presidents received from the CEP did not match his original list, which consisted of trusted and respected people from the voting districts. EOT Jacmel outlined similar problems of VC workers, suspecting political parties sought to control the staffing at selected VCs. CARNEY