Fire destroys building housing electoral office in Haiti

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – The Civil Protection Directorate says it is awaiting “the complete evaluation” of a fire by the authorities that on Sunday gutted the building housing the Departmental Electoral Office and the National Office of Identification in the northern section of the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

Media reports said that the fire began following the arrest of an un-named political activist when opposition demonstrators, who have been calling for the removal of President Jovenel Moise from office, took to the streets.

Moise, who came to power in 2017, has refused to accede to the calls of the various opposition parties and has instead named a former prime minister to hold talks on the possibility of establishing a government of national unity.

Last weekend, Costa Rica became the latest country appealing for peace and calm in the French-speaking country and urged dialogue between the parties as a means going forward.

Opposition parties have vowed to prevent President Moise from attending the activities commemorating the 216th anniversary of the Battle of Vertières on Monday.

Opposition spokesman, André Michel, said Moïse should not be allowed to visit the lace of the heroes, at Vertières.

But political observers say the statement is more symbolic than binding as Moise had last year commemorated this anniversary and made his speech to the nation without going to Vertières.

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