VERSION FRANCAISE: lire plus bas (cliquer le texte et faites le défiler avec votre souris) As it is a country known for its political instability, social inequality, gang-warfare, corrupt governance, murders, kidnappings, widespread poverty and frequent coups, few had high hopes for the Haitian Elections this February. Originally scheduled for October 2005 the elections were postponed four times before being realized. Contrary to popular speculation everything went forward with no major violence or disruption despite some initial setbacks in regards to the polling stations opening in the morning. The candidate most of the population expects to win uncontested, René Garcia Preval, is the only person ever to have completed a Presidential term in the Republic of Haiti. His likely victory carries hope to many Haitians of a more stable future. TEXTE FR/ Pays marqué par une grande instabilité politique et de nombreux coups d'état, par les inégalités sociales, les guerres de gangs, la corruption, les meurtres et les enlèvements, l'espoir d'élections justes et pacifiques en Haïti était des plus ténu. Prévu pour octobre 2005 le scrutin a été ajourné à 4 reprises pour se tenir finalement le 7 février 2006. Une semaine plus tard, malgré une participation massive et la victoire annoncée de René Garcia Preval, la tension et l'incertitude ne sont toujours pas retombées.
SPD0051498 © David Sperry
Preval supporter outside the closest voting station to Cite Solei on the day of the elections in Port-Au-Prince.
SPD0051499 © David Sperry
Eléctions en HaÏti en 2006.
SPD0051501x © David Sperry
Eléctions en HaÏti en 2006.
SPD0051500x © David Sperry
Eléctions en HaÏti en 2006.
SPD0051502x © David Sperry
Eléctions en HaÏti en 2006.
SPD0051504x © David Sperry
Waiting to vote outside the closest voting station to Cite Solei on the day of the elections.
SPD0051505 © David Sperry
MINUSTAH Peace Keeper threatening Haitian man with a gas canister outside the closest voting station to Cite Solei on the day of the elections. With the polls opening over four hours later than scheduled, some of the locals became restless and pushy.
SPD0051506 © David Sperry
Eléctions en HaÏti en 2006.
SPD0051507x © David Sperry
The inside of the closet voting station to Cite Solei on the day of the elections. The United Nations could not guarantee security for polling stations in the slums so hundreds of thousands of the poorest Haitians had to venture out to find a place to cast their vote.
SPD0051508 © David Sperry
Eléctions en HaÏti en 2006.
SPD0051509x © David Sperry
Eléctions en HaÏti en 2006.
SPD0051510x © David Sperry
Eléctions en HaÏti en 2006.
SPD0051511x © David Sperry
Haitian woman holding up cards with her favored politicians pictured on the front, Preval and Aristide, during the day of the elections.
SPD0051512 © David Sperry
Eléctions en HaÏti en 2006.
SPD0051513x © David Sperry
Pro-Preval demonstration in Bel Air on the day of the elections in Port-Au-Prince.
SPD0051514 © David Sperry
Haitian men playing home-made horns and drums during a pro-Preval demonstration in Bel Air on the day of the elections in Port-Au-Prince.
SPD0051515 © David Sperry
Eléctions en HaÏti en 2006.
SPD0051516x © David Sperry
Eléctions en HaÏti en 2006.
SPD0051517x © David Sperry
Élections 2006 en Haïti
SPD0051518x © David Sperry
Élections 2006 en Haïti
SPD0051519x © David Sperry