Voting has ended in the second round of parliamentary elections in Haiti with turnout low despite calls from the United Nations for a strong showing. The UN had hoped for a healthy turnout in the violence-wracked state to boost the future government. Observers estimate that less than 20% of the 3.5 million voters took part, with results due within a week.| All the efficiency and fanfare of a French election ... |
The second round of elections had been set for March but was delayed because of the volume of complaints from the first round in February. Only two candidates for deputy won first-round victories, which meant 97 seats in the lower chamber and all 30 senate seats were up for election on Friday. Under the constitution, the party that holds at least half the seats of parliament will pick the prime minister.