Four dead as Haiti vote protests turn ugly

[cory777]

Source: AFP

PORT-AU-PRINCE (AFP) – Thousands of protesters rampaged in Haitian towns Wednesday, torching buildings in armed clashes that left four dead, after election results triggered bitter accusations of vote-rigging, witnesses said.

Supporters of popular singer Michel Martelly took to the streets after Tuesday night's results showed he had been narrowly -- and unexpectedly -- knocked out of the race for the presidency of the impoverished Caribbean nation.

Instead, President Rene Preval's handpicked protege Jude Celestin defied predictions to snap up second place and a coveted slot in January's run-off in which he will battle a former first lady for the nation's top job.

The singer-turned-politician, known popularly here by the nickname "Sweet Micky," said in a radio address that the international community and election observers recognized the results were "incorrect."



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101209/ts_afp/haitivotecholera

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