There will never be a perfect time to hold elections in Haiti, a country struggling with crippling poverty, post-earthquake reconstruction and a deadly outbreak of cholera.
The presidential candidates who denounced Sunday's elections should drop their demand that results be annulled. Twelve of 19 candidates accused outgoing President René Préval of carrying out a plan to steal the election for his heir apparent, Jude Célestin. But Tuesday, the ruling party declared they will accept defeat if they lose.
And while Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) conceded that ballots were destroyed or damaged at 56 of 1,500 voting centres, they found that fraud was not widespread, a claim echoed by the Organization of American States. One CEP member wondered whether the dissenting candidates would continue their opposition if the results - to be announced on Dec. 20 - end up favouring them.
"The denunciation of political fraud can be seen as a political calculation by the opposition, so they will have a claim if they're not successful," observes Carlo Dade, executive director of the Canadian Foundation for the Americas, an Ottawa think tank. And indeed, both Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly, a musician, and Mirlande Manigat, a former first lady, backed away from their denunciations this week, as word leaked out that they may be the leading contenders.
Haiti desperately needs an engaged president who can work with international donors - including Canada - to co-ordinate the $10-billion in aid pledged for reconstruction. Helping to contain the spread of cholera is also key.
Past elections in Haiti have been marred by accusations of fraud. And this time, there were logistical challenges related to last January's earthquake, which claimed 250,000 lives, left 1.5 million people homeless and obliterated voting lists and polling stations.
Since a runoff between the two front-runners is a virtual certainty, Haitians will have another chance to exercise their democratic right to choose a new leader in January - and candidates another chance to share their vision of how to rebuild their country. Haiti deserves good governance, and delaying the election won't accomplish this.