Haiti opposition wants interim government

Opposition supporters are demanding the formation of an interim government, as Haitians prepare to elect a new president this Sunday.

"We declare this week the rebellion week to block the January 24 election. We will protest in front of each voting booth and voting center," said Assad Volcy, secretary-general of Platform Pitit Desalin, who is among opposition groups demanding the suspension of Sunday’s runoff presidential election.

The main opposition presidential candidate Jude Celestin has already said he would not contest the polls, accusing the electoral authorities of favoring the ruling party. Meanwhile, police said that the demonstrators took to the streets in the capital, as supporters in the rural areas burned several electoral offices. They also burned vehicles, threw rocks and attacked a petrol station.

President Michel Martelly, who has been prevented by the Constitution from seeking a third consecutive term in office, has denied that the vote is being rigged in support of his party’s candidate, Jovenel Moise.

The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has already condemned the acts of violence and has vowed to go ahead with Sunday’s poll that has the backing of the international community. Last year, the US government rejected demands by opposition parties for the establishment of a transitional government to lead the country into elections.