Haiti presidential election 2/7/06 -- predictions?

Great Debates
1

On Tuesday, February 7. 2006, Haiti will have its first presidential election since the 2004 coup. That’s the first round; second round scheduled for 3/19/06. Since there are 33 candidates for the presidency, a second round almost certainly will be necessary.

Will the election process be free, fair and honest?

Will it come off without (a lot of) violence?

What results can we expect?

How will this affect Haiti’s relations with other countries, including the U.S.?

Wikipedia article on the election, with info on the leading candidates: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haitian_elections%2C_2006

Recent news reports:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/02/AR2006020201054.html?nav=rss_nation/special

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N03185767.htm

http://www.euronews.net/create_html.php?article=336990&lng=1

http://www.wpherald.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20060203-122641-8718r

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01323486.htm

Related thread on the 2004 coup: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=355556

2

Last chance! Election tomorrow!

3

I’m interested, too.

I just finished Michener’s Caribbean, and while it’s hardly a history manual, I know a lot more about Haiti than I did a few days ago. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping that the outcome of this election will be of benefit to that country.

4

Update: The election resulted in dozens of injuries and at least three deaths. That’s all we know, so far. Vote totals are expected to be released on Friday. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4692454.stm