Haiti's Election Announcement Has been Postponed

Haiti was filled with so much corruption and devastation prior to te earthquake, this small country has never had any kind of stability, what’s necessary now is an experienced leader with a long background in politics, developed knowledge in economy repair and the power to rebuild nation. Of course its probably not likely to happen anytime soon, but the last thing the people of Haiti need is a man who can’t handle his own personal funds or that of his Haitian fundraiser for the earthquake.

A choice about who is qualified to be the leader in Haiti has been delayed from Monday, leaving famous people Wyclef Jean and the other hopeful people in limbo, said Berto Dorce, Jean’s attorney.

Haiti’s election commission was scheduled to have a choice Tuesday night.
Jean’s eligibility was under question after claims that he has not lived in Haiti for five consecutive years before the election, a mandate in the nation’s Constitution.

Jean’s lawyer said his client meets that criteria.

"His candidacy has been contested and we went to court and proved that he is legally entitled to run for president," Dorce said. "Jean’s position is pretty strong. He should be on the list."

Dorce said Jean has been paying taxes in Haiti, which makes him eligible.

"Wyclef has been a shareholder of the local TV corporation called Telemax, and was paying taxes at least for five years; this was sufficient for the Justice of the Peace to issue a certificate of residence for Mr. Wyclef and confirm his residency," Dorce said.

Jean announced August 5 on "Larry King Live" amid fanfare that he had filled out the paperwork to run for president.

But since then, Jean’s announcement has met with some criticism.

Pras, who once performed alongside Jean and Lauryn Hill in the ’90s group The Fugees, said he supported Jean’s opponent.

Actor Sean Penn, who has lived in Port-au-Prince for months helping displaced Haitians, also questioned whether the Haitian-born musician could make moves to lead the devastated nation.

And now, Jean said he has received multiple death threats.
"We have been getting threats since last night telling me if I know what’s good for me, I would get out of the country," Jean wrote in an e-mail to CNN late Tuesday.

Jean’s lawyer also talked about the alleged threats.

"Wyclef has been repeatedly getting nameless terrors from someone who are saying that he ought to think twice before running for the leader. We cannot tell who are sending these terrors, but the nearer the statement, the more terrors Jean is getting," Dorce said.

I believe Wyclef hasd good intentions for Haiti, but that does not make him qualified to be president of this country that is facing so much turmoil. I suggest that he slowly break into the politics of Haiti, maybe in a lower position, supporting the president, and if he still has this passion and learns what is really involved, he can run in future elections down the road.