Haitian electoral officials delay results

Haitian electoral officials say disputed ballot papers have forced them to postpone the results of the disrupted March 20 presidential and legislative elections for the second time in one week.



The provisional electoral council said the results which were expected on Saturday, will now not be announced until Wednesday.



Pierre Thibault, a spokesman for the council, said the council needs more time to review ballots in several disputed legislative races.



But Thibault said the presidential race seems to have been settled, with the main challenger to popular musician, Michel Martelly, opting not to contest the final result.



Preliminary results, announced on April 4, show that Martelly won the run-off with 68 per cent of the vote to former First Lady Mirlande Manigat's 32 per cent.



Haiti's new president should take office on May 14.