UN troops on high alert as Haiti braces itself for election

UN TROOPS beefed up patrols yesterday and poll workers mobilised trucks and even mules to carry ballots to remote regions as Haiti readied itself for an election that aims to restore a shaky democracy in this impoverished country.

“We’ve mobilised our fleet of donkeys and mules, and they’ll trot off and carry the election materials up the mountain,” UN spokesman David Wimhurst said, “We expect a large turnout.”

Mr Wimhurst said the 9,000-strong UN force of soldiers and police was fanning out around the capital Port-au-Prince and other areas.

Delayed several times by security concerns, tomorrow’s election is being contested by some three dozen presidential hopefuls. If no one wins a majority, the top two vote-getters will face off in a March 19 run-off.

Among the hopefuls were an alleged arms dealer and a former rebel commander who led a revolt against then president Jean-Bertrand Aristide in February 2004.

Hundreds of others were seeking 129 legislative seats.

Experts say the voting is crucial to pulling Haiti from its poverty and despair.