Monday, April 4, 2011

Democracy in dark countries - latest

Lovers of democracy and hip hop will be pleased to know that, according to the BBC, musician Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly appears to have won the rerun of the Haitian presidential election.

He defeated ex-senator and former first lady Mirlande Manigat in a run-off held on March 20th. Turnout in the second round was higher than expected, approximating 120% of the number of registered voters, thus accounting for the delay in announcing the result.

It should be noted, though, that this is only a preliminary result. Officials are busy getting their stories straight, and the final tally is not expected until April 15th...give or take a week.

This is in keeping with Haitian tradition. The run-off was actually supposed to be held in January, but was delayed by the traditional frigging in the rigging. This time the cheating was much better organized, officials said. M. Martelly also benefitted from the support of five candidates eliminated in the first round, including his fellow musician Wyclef "Michaëlle" Jean.

Jude Celestin, who had the backing of outgoing President Rene Préval, took the largest share of the votes in the first round, but was persuaded to withdraw from the second heat. Former dictators ["presidents", surely! Ed.] "Baby Doc" Duvalier and Ex-Father Bertrand Aristide were likewise deterred from throwing their chapeaux into the ring.

Now that a new president is in place, Haiti's corruption, poverty and general misery will doubtless be forgotten as the streets of Port-au-Prince reverberate to the throb of the voodoo drums. Martelly rules!

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