Port-au-Prince - Haitian President Michel Martelly said a run-off election to choose the impoverished Caribbean nation's next leader will take place on Sunday despite opposition protests, in a sign that talks to postpone the vote had failed.
Opposition candidate Jude Celestin has vowed to boycott the election over fraud allegations in the first round, held in October, although he has not formally withdrawn.
His supporters and other government critics plan a series of street protests starting on Friday.
Celestin came second behind ruling party candidate Jovenel Moise in the October 25 round, in a field that included a record 54 presidential candidates.
In a recorded message on state television, Martelly said a small group of people were trying to destroy the democratic process, and that he had ordered the police to make sure citizens could cast their vote without intimidation.
“Haitian brothers and sisters, it is through elections that we can advance, that is why we ask the police and justice system to take all measures to protect life and property,” he said.
The country of about 10 million people has struggled to build a stable democracy since the overthrow of the 1957-1986 dictatorship of the Duvalier family and ensuing military coups and election fraud.
The latest round of political volatility has distracted from the reconstruction after a devastating earthquake six years ago.
Thousands of people took to the streets in downtown Port-Au-Prince for two days earlier this week in a protest against the government. Some threw rocks and burned vehicles, actions that have left many Haitians reluctant to go out and vote.
The government had said earlier it would be willing to meet the opposition's demand of delaying the vote, which has already been postponed twice, but demanded Celestin commit to taking part at a later date.
Reuters