By Belly-Dave Bélizaire, Vant Bèf Info (VBI), Jan. 24, 2025
Natacha Fleuridor, a resident of Ti Palmis, a locality of Liancourt, accuses Bengel Victor of having manipulated the 2016 elections to favor the election of her cousin, Prophane Victor. "He greatly contributed to its success because he was one of the heads of the Departmental Electoral Office," she said.
She added that Bengel Victor is perceived in the region as an ally of armed gangs, an accusation aggravated by the sanctions imposed on Prophane Victor by the United Nations Security Council for his alleged role in supporting these groups. These links, according to opponents, reinforce the mistrust surrounding the appointment of Bengel Victor to the CEP.
Pierre André Miraux, an activist from Artibonite and representative of a platform of more than 70 local organizations, announced that protests would be organized to prevent this controversial appointment. He fears that a return of armed gangs could further destabilize the region.
A member of the Plateforme des Femmes organisées pour le Développement de l’Artibonite (PLAFODA), who requested anonymity, claims that Bengel Victor offered bribes to two members of the CEP to guarantee his rise.
Local organizations are urging the President of the Transitional Presidential Council, Leslie Voltaire, and the Electoral Councilors to cancel this appointment in order to prevent a new political and social crisis. They are threatening to paralyze the region if their demands are not taken into account immediately.
Translated by CHIP editors
Posted Feb. 1, 2025