Filed under: News, Politics, Race and Civil Rights
Finally, Haiti may soon learn who will attempt to lead the country from its troubles: a dancehall singer or a former first lady.
Voting has begun in the presidential runoff election, pitting singer Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly (pictured left) against ex-first lady Mirlande Manigat (pictured). No matter who wins, the besieged island-nation faces a very long road back to any semblance of stability.
Reports of the problems that plagued the last round of voting, such as closed polling stations, damaged ballots and untrained poll workers, were repeated this weekend. Luckily, the wide-scale violence of last year's election was avoided for the most part, so the election is being hailed as a success.
Talk about having low expectations.
Preliminary results are expected in 10 days, but the people of Haiti don't have time to wait.
Martelly, 49, a political novice and popular singer of konpa-style music, is known for dropping his pants and dancing during live performances. He has won the support of younger Haitians who believe he will bring an uncompromising honesty to government.
Manigat, 70, wife of former President Leslie Manigat, received the most votes in the November 2010 election. Manigat has campaigned on an establishment platform, saying she will bring stability to the island-nation.
International funds to help aid-rebuilding efforts have been held up in the leadership void since the January 2009 earthquake destroyed the nation and killed more than a quarter-million people.
Add to the mix the return of exiled dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier in January and former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide weeks ago and the prospect of a peaceful orderly transition dims even further.
Ironically, as the tension has grown in the Haiti story, most people are seeing less about it in the news media.
The earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan and America's involvement in the Libyan civil war have pushed the Haiti story off the front page and right out of many news broadcasts, leaving many to wonder if all of the billions in international aid pledged to Haiti over the past year will ever be delivered.
While job No. 2 for Haiti is getting housing, school buildings, roads and other infrastructure rebuilt. Job No. 1 is picking a new leader: the raunchy singer or the matronly ex-first lady.
Good luck, Haiti.
Watch video of Martelly's new life as a politician here: