’Why would I trust this fake election?’

Presidential elections in Haiti were postponed for the fifth time this week and have been rescheduled for January. Some on Haiti’s left have called for an election boycott until the thousands of political prisoners are released and there is an end to the extensive human rights violations against Haiti’s poor majority by the national police.

Observers predict that elections will take place and that René Preval, a former member of Fanmi Lavalas and past president, will win in a landslide. Bay View reporter Lyn Duff was on the ground in Port-au-Prince speaking to ordinary Haitians about whether they plan to vote and why.

Samson, a 62-year-old carpenter: "No one could persuade me to vote in this election. It’s a farce. The last time I voted, the person I voted for was removed by a coup. Why would I trust this fake election by the people who did the coup against democracy? No, I will not vote."

Emil, 19, high school student: "I would vote if I could, but I was not able to register to vote. I went to register, but I did not have the papers I needed. If I could vote, I would vote for René Preval because he will make a good change in Haiti."

In Delmas 60, schoolchildren walk past a pole with presidential election posters. Photo: Lyn Duff Wendelly, 31, merchant: "I am tired of politics here. The elections have no meaning for me. No matter who becomes president, things will not change here. When people try to make change, they make a coup against him. I am tired of elections. I have better things to do than vote for someone who will just make my life more miserable in the end."

Wootrood, 22, vocational student: "I plan to vote for Preval. He is the best of the choices. We don’t have very good choices. There are many people running for president, but none of them are as good as Aristide. Even when Aristide had problems, he was the best for the Haitian people."

Sarah, 37, merchant: "I support Aristide, and I will not rest until he comes back. I will not vote in these elections. They are a sham election. If I voted, that would support the elections and the coup!"

Markenson, 45, welder: "On the television there is a spot about Marc Bazin that says, ’If you support Aristide, vote for Marc Bazin.’ Are they crazy? Do they think we’re going to believe this shit? If you support Aristide, don’t vote!"

Writing on the wall in Delmas 33 Photo: Lyn Duff Viola, 27, cashier: "I don’t get involved in politics. Voting in the elections, I don’t want to get involved in that. It’s too dangerous to have an opinion today."

Phillip, 51, driver: "They say that Charlito can make a real difference in Haiti because he has discipline. I haven’t made a decision yet about who to vote for. My wife is voting for Preval because she thinks he is the best of the bad options we have.

"Whoever becomes president will have to make a change about the high cost of living. We have so many problems, economic problems, and I can’t pay for my children to go to high school because the cost of living is so high. If a president could change this, I would support him."