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02/13/2006:

"Demonstrators demand Preval be declared president of Haiti"

PORT-AU-PRINCE (AFP) - More than 10,000 people demonstrated in the Haitian capital demanding Rene Preval be declared president, despite partial results that put him just shy of the 50 percent needed to win the election outright.

Results announced earlier in the day and based on 75 percent of the ballots showed that Preval, a former president, had 49.1 percent of the vote, short of the majority he needs to avoid a runoff election.

Several hours before the final outcome of the February 7 election was to be announced, residents of dirt-poor shantytowns poured into the streets of Port-au-Prince for a second consecutive day, chanting "Preval president."

The demonstrators marched and danced in a carnival atmosphere, and had no doubt the victory went to Preval, who enjoys widespread support among the millions of impoverished Haitians.

Tension mounted as the protesters stopped in front of the electoral council's offices, where only a few Haitian police, armed with automatic weapons, were in evidence.

Pro-Preval marches were also staged in other parts of the country, according to radio stations.

Members of the 9,500-strong UN military and police force took position in key parts of the capital amid concern of a renewed explosion of violence if Preval fails be declared victorious.

Should the balloting go to a runoff, scheduled for March 19, Preval, 63, would likely compete against Leslie Manigat, 75, also a former president, who had 11.7 percent in the partial results.
yahoo.com