V.I. Congressional Delegate Donna M. Christian-Christensen traveled to Haiti with members of the Congressional Black Caucus Friday to meet with officials about the nation's upcoming elections in March and April.
Christensen and her colleagues were to meet with Haitian President Renee Preval, former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide and representatives from non-governmental organizations, U.S. Ambassador Timothy Carney, Haitian political party leaders, the President of the Electoral Commission, and Haiti's police chief, to observe the elections process.
Christiansen and the other observers were set to make judgements regarding the election timetable, access the technical steps necessary for their undertaking, and observe the ability of the Provisional Electoral Council to organize and verify the elections.
Christensen, the only Congressional Representative of the English-speaking Caribbean, said "These meetings are a follow up to our visit last September to focus on preparations for the elections as a means of supporting Haiti's efforts to become a Democratic nation."
The delegation was also slated to make observations concerning the
public confidence in the electoral process, the competence of electoral
institutions and the likelihood of broad civic participation in the process.