Haiti heads to the polls

Haitians went to the polls on Sunday to vote for a new president. Preliminary results will be announced March 31. 

The two candidates were a musician and a former first lady. Michel “Sweet Micky” Martelly is a recording artist with no public office experience. Mirlande Manigat is former Haitian President Leslie Manigat’s wife. He was in office for four months in 1988. Mirlande Manigat is also a former senator. She has been involved in Haitian politics for some time. 

Allegations of fraud and voter intimidation plagued the November preliminary elections. This round of voting ran much more smoothly. But whoever will be victorious will still face many challenges. Haiti is still recovering from last year’s earthquake. It has also been plagued by poverty and corruption for decades. Voters said they wanted moral, diligent and competent leadership.