HAITI ELECTIONS OBSERVATIONS #2

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SUBJECT: HAITI ELECTIONS OBSERVATIONS #2


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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.

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Port-au-Prince: Final Preparations Proceeding
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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.

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Provincial EOTs: Card Distribution Complete
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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