An eerie calm has returned to Haiti today, following two full days of riots in the wake of the announced presidential and legislative elections’ results.
Police and political observers here said there has been no widespread violence in the last two days after unrest paralyzed the capital, Port-au-Prince, and two other major cities early last week.
Government construction crews in the last two days have been clearing the streets of charred debris, and markets have opened for a few hours.
Observers said there has been a mad rush inside markets, as people grabbed supplies, and long lines have been forming at gas stations.
Protesters had taken to the streets on Tuesday night after Haitian officials released preliminary election results that showed popular musician, Michel Martelly, wouldn’t reach a runoff election scheduled for January but that government-backed candidate, Jude Celestin, was qualified.
Martelly’s supporters and anti-government protesters charged the vote was rigged and responded by torching tires, cars and government buildings. They also squared off with United Nations troops in the streets.
Police say so far the violence has claimed at least two lives, but there were many injuries.
The medical relief team Doctors Without Borders said it has treated 26 patients – 15 suffering from bullet wounds – since Tuesday night.
But as some semblance of normalcy grips Haiti over the weekend two of the top candidates in the disputed elections have rejected a proposed recount of the ballot.
The leading candidate, Mirlande Manigat, and Martelly insist that they will not participate in the recount. (CMC)
