Hailing Haiti vote, Security Council says long-term challenges still need attention

The United Nations Security Council today welcomed the recent parliamentary elections in Haiti while stressing that the impoverished Caribbean country still faces numerous challenges requiring international help.

In a press statement, Council President Wang Guangya, the Ambassador of China, commended the Haitian people for their participation in the second round of the parliamentary elections, held on Friday, and welcomed the “calm manner” in which voting took place.

“These elections constitute clear evidence of the Haitian people’s commitment to democracy,” he said, voicing appreciation for the work of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

Reiterating the importance of timely municipal and local elections, the Council President stressed that security remains important for the further stabilization of the country.

“While acknowledging that elections are a major step in Haiti’s political transition, the members of the Council recognize that addressing the country’s many long-term challenges will require close cooperation between the Haitian authorities and the international community,” he said.

The UN helped organize the poll, together with February's presidential vote, as part of its peacekeeping mission in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

Voters cast ballots at 804 voting centres to elect 27 senators and 83 deputies, according to MINUSTAH, which said that, consistent with expectations, participation was lower than the first round of elections, when René Préval was elected president.