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Haiti postpones presidential election indefinitely

Published:Wednesday | October 5, 2016 | 12:00 AM
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AP
People wade through a street flooded by a nearby river overflowing from the heavy rains caused by Hurricane Matthew, in Leogane, Haiti, on Wednesday.
AP
A woman carries a child through a waterlogged street as they head to a shelter under the pouring rain triggered by Hurricane Matthew in Leogane, Haiti, on Tuesday.
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MIAMI (AP):
Officials in Haiti say they're indefinitely postponing a presidential election scheduled for Sunday after Hurricane Matthew caused extensive damage in the southwest part of the country.

The Provision Electoral Council announced the postponement Wednesday without giving a date for a new election.

The first round of the vote was going to feature 27 candidates for president. It was a redo of balloting held last year that was annulled after a special commission found fraud and other irregularities.

Electoral Council Chief Leopold Berlanger said he hoped to announce a new date next week.

Hurricane Matthew damaged many homes and farms throughout southwest Haiti, killing at least five people. Authorities are still assessing the extent of the damage.