Haiti's first round vote ‘stained by irregularities’

The commission appointed to investigate the results of the October 25 presidential and legislative elections, says the poll was “stained by irregularities.

However it has given the go ahead for the second round run off scheduled for January 17.

The commission has also recommended that legal action be taken against poll workers and others who were involved in fraud.

In the upcoming run off  for a successor to President Michel Martelly - banana exporter Jovenel Moise, who won 33 per cent of the vote in the first round , will face ex-state construction company head Jude Celestin, who came second with 25 per cent.

Martelly, who is constitutionally barred from seeking re-election, postponed the run-off vote that was due to be held on December 27 after street protests against fraud in the first round turned violent.

The opposition alleged widespread fraud in the presidential and legislative vote in October.

In a speech  on Friday, to mark Haiti’s independence, Martelly called on Haitians "to vote en masse, like they should, for the person who best represents them."