According to the Ambassador of France in Haiti, Didier Le Bret, emergency alternative solutions have already been discussed in diplomatic circles to prevent the country from slipping into a political crisis. Notably, three alternatives would have been proposed by the Episcopal Conference of Haiti:

1 - Set up a technocratic government to organize new elections (transitional government)

2 - Transforming the second round scheduled January 16, 2011, in single-ballot election where all candidates would be invited.

3 - Invite the third on the list, Michel Martelly, to participate in the second round.

Article 40.1 (1) of the Electoral Law provides, in effect, the possibility of a second round with more than 2 candidates. The article states "if there is a tie between candidates who obtained the greatest number of votes in the first round, they all participate in the second round". This notion of equality seems to be interpreted as "very similar results between two or more candidates" because, contrary to article 42, there is no mention of "perfect equality", so the CEP can probably use this compromise option.

(1) : Article 40.1

If this majority is not obtained on the first ballot, there shall be a second round within the time fixed by the Permanent Electoral Council. The two (2) candidates receiving in the first round the largest number of votes may go to the second round. However, if there is a tie between candidates who obtained the greatest number of votes in the first round, they all participate in the second round.

(2) : Article 42

In the second round in case of perfect equality between the candidates, the elected is the one who had the highest number of votes in the first round.

S/ HaitiLibre