Haiti - Elections : End of the silent period, candidates can speak

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Haiti - Elections : End of the silent period, candidates can speak
15/10/2010 10:17:13

Imposed by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) the mute period, from September 27 to October 15 just ended. Starting today candidates are allowed to speak publicly until November 26, 2010: large gatherings, meetings, propaganda spots, radio, television, internet, the presidential campaign takes its real start amid financial challenges for many candidates.

A campaign that will unfold amid accusations of social movements and rumors of all kinds: movement of arms, money from mafia, death threats, fraud, scandals, events, etc... between hope and disappointment, mistrust and low blow, where worst as the best things are said and done. Hope that in this "rat race, the candidates will be able to present to the people cleary their project and how they intend to implement to achieve them.

Especially hope that there will be real debates in the media (radio and TV), rather than question and answer sessions between an invisible audience and a candidate. That the media will not just airtime for candidates and that the spirit of "journalistic criticism" they will ask the real questions.

The candidates want it? The media can they? It is unlikely, but hope that some media have the courage to do so and that candidates are willing to publicly discuss their programs with their opponents.

During this silent phase, where only the poster campaigns were allowed, some candidates have fully complied with the schedule [and law], either by integrity or simply lack of funds. Others have started their campaigns overseas, Guyana, United States - USA, Dominican Republic, Canada (Manigat, Baker, Martelly, Voltaire, Chavanne ...) to present their programs to the Diaspora.

Finally, there is obviously the party INITE "above the law" that did not seem to be affected by this silent period, without taking into complex, several campaign meetings broadcast on TV in front of a CEP unable [or submitted to the government?] to enforce the law.

For many candidates, the lack of money reduce their shares and their visibility to a bare minimum, no big meeting but a pilgrim's approach to meet the people. Some do not consider public shares for at least a week. For others, who have budgets comfortable "to finance unverified" [again the CEP is unable to conduct an audit of party accounts] it will, no doubt, a true media bidding war and debauchery, where the power of money may have unfortunately more important than what the candidates and the interest of our citizens.

S/ HaitiLibre