Wednesday, August 18, 2010
By Joseph Guyler Delva
Wed Aug 18, 2010 10:40am EDT
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Haiti's electoral authorities have postponed until Friday the announcement of candidates approved to run in a November presidential election while they deliberate challenges against several contenders, including hip-hop star Wyclef Jean.
The country's provisional electoral council had been due to finalize on Tuesday the list of candidates who met the legal requirements to stand in the November 28 election that will choose a successor to President Rene Preval.But the announcement of the final list was put back to give the council's disputes bureau more time to decide on legal questions against several of the 34 contenders, among them Jean.Singer-songwriter Jean, 40, is widely popular in his impoverished Caribbean homeland which is struggling to recover from a devastating January 12 earthquake that killed up to 300,000 people and wrecked much of the coastal capital Port-au-Prince.The country's electoral law stipulates that candidates must have had five consecutive years of residency in Haiti, among other requirements, such as tax compliance.This has led to legal challenges being raised against several declared candidates, including Jean, who left his homeland at the age of 9 to go to the United States where he!
launched and developed his international musical career.Also among those being questioned were the candidacies of Jacques Edouard Alexis, a former two-time prime minister, and Leslie Voltaire, a U.S.-educated urban planner and former minister who has been heavily involved in Haiti's post-quake reconstruction.Jean's lawyers have presented arguments that he is eligible to run and has maintained residency for over five years in Haiti.The hip-hop star has rebuffed some criticisms that he lacks the experience and qualifications to be president, arguing that Haiti needs an international figure who can attract aid and allies for his earthquake-shattered homeland.What Jean may lack in political experience he may make up for in popularity. Despite having left to live in the United States as a child, he is admired by many Haitians, especially the young, who see him as a celebrity who never forgot his roots.Several Haitian youth organizations and Creole music groups have undertaken t!
o support his national campaign as a candidate for the Viv Ans!
an-m par
ty.The three-time Grammy award-winner has said he will put his musical career on hold if his candidacy is approved.President Preval, who has been widely criticized at home over his handling of the response to the earthquake disaster, cannot run for re-election after serving two terms.(Writing by Pascal Fletcher, Editing by Eric Beech)
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