The Brazilian government sent a message, Wednesday, February 8, congratulating the Haitian people on the first round of general elections to choose their parliamentary representatives and president.
Over 3 million people were registered to vote in Monday’s, February 6, elections, and, according to the Electoral Council, between 75% and 80% of the registered voters turned out at the polls around the country.
"This kind of turnout, in a country where voting is not mandatory, attests the Haitian people’s commitment to the country’s administrative normalization and the revitalization of its institutions.
"It also confirms their confidence in the process overseen by the collaboration between the transitional government and the international community," the message states.
According to the message, the Brazilian-led United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) played "an essential role in guaranteeing the security necessary for democratic elections to be held, for the Haitian people to reassume full control over their country’s destiny."
The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Relations ("Itamaraty") informed that the official election results should be announced within three days. A runoff, if required, is scheduled for March 19.
ABr