Election Day Lull

To You International Followers of Haitian Politics:

There's been all this build up to potential drama over Haiti's presidential elections - Aristide's arrival two days ago, shutting down of gas pumps to deter destructive demonstrations, extra UN and police presence today - but I have to report from Hinche in the Central Plateau that all is extremely quiet.

Of course, I logged online to check the news and polls just like you.  Here are the tidbits from my last hours (and days) reading up on the election:

• Michele Martelly (a famous kompa singer knows for his shocking stage antics) has seemed ahead in support during recent days' rallies...
• No!  Martelly and Mirlande Manigat (a 70-year old university administrator and former first lady, favored by the middle class and known as "grandmother") are too close to call in the race...
• Jean-Bertrand Aristide (famous Haitian populist president who just return from 7-year exile in South Africa) hasn't emerged from his house nor endorsed any candidate... but many of his Fanmi Lavalas supporters recall the well-known facts (some say rumors) that Martelly was involved in prior military coups (such as his own)...
• Wyclef Jean (famous Haitian-American singer of Fugees and solo fame... and a public supporter of Martelly) got treated for a gunshot grazing of his hand under unspecified circumstances...
• Meanwhile, Manigat quietly tries to regain ground after 4-5 first round losing candidates threw their support behind Martelly...

But all of this is far away.  In the newspapers.  Perhaps Port-au-Prince.  But definitely not here in Hinche.  Preliminary results are even expected until the end of the month, but if prior elections are any indication, demonstrations may start in PAP as early as tomorrow.  However, I'm told it's been one of the more (if not most) peaceful political situations at the end of outgoing Rene Preval's term, regardless of the circus that was last November's first round of elections.  And anyone who pays attention to the platforms sees that there isn't enough detail to significantly distinguish the two remaining candidates.  All the international community and aid organizations really want is someone to get elected so that the new administration can get settled enough to resume the flow of relief and reconstruction dollars that have been temporary halted during all this election drama.

So perhaps - despite the overturning of a candidacy and the return of two formerly-exiled presidents, one still a significant symbol of populist power to this day - things will remain peaceful.  Let us hope.

Regardless, my work remains in sleepy Pandiassou and nearby Hinche - where I sit to have Sunday dinner while kids play with toy dump trucks, our only concession to the election that we forgo our weekly flannen (drive and walk about town). Meanwhile, I'll keep you up to date if I hear of any big national developments.

Peace and Love,
Stan