Former Haitian first lady Mirlande Manigat will run for president against popular singer Michel Martelly in Haiti’s runoff elections scheduled for March, Haiti’s provisional electoral council announced Feb. 3.
The announcement eliminates Jude Celestin, the candidate from the party of outgoing president René Préval.
Celestin was initially announced to be in second place ahead of Martelly after voting last November, but public outcry over election irregularities and international pressure caused officials to re-evaluate the first round results.
The switch of candidates met with the approval of the United Nations and the United States.
During her visit to Haiti Sunday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with all three candidates and Préval and pressed officials to switch the candidates as per the recommendations of the Organization of American States.
The United States also denied visas to about a dozen members of Celestin’s party, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The announcement eliminates Jude Celestin, the candidate from the party of outgoing president René Préval.
Celestin was initially announced to be in second place ahead of Martelly after voting last November, but public outcry over election irregularities and international pressure caused officials to re-evaluate the first round results.
The switch of candidates met with the approval of the United Nations and the United States.
During her visit to Haiti Sunday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with all three candidates and Préval and pressed officials to switch the candidates as per the recommendations of the Organization of American States.
The United States also denied visas to about a dozen members of Celestin’s party, the Wall Street Journal reported.