Haiti candidates reject recount

The recount was called after days of street protests

Two of the three main candidates in the disputed presidential election in Haiti have rejected a proposed recount of the first-round votes.

The recount was announced after days of street protests by opposition supporters.

Front-runner Mirlande Manigat said the Haitian electoral council had not come up with clear procedures or a timetable.

The proposal was also rejected by Michel Martelly, who came third.

Mr Martelly said he would not accept a recount conducted by the same group that, he alleges, manipulated the results in the first place.

He had earlier said that the count was rigged to deny him a second-round run-off place.

Governing party candidate Jude Celestin, who came second and is therefore through to the next round, said he supported the proposal for a recount.

Election results announced on Tuesday gave 31% to the former first lady, Ms Manigat, and 22% to Mr Celestin.

Mr Martelly came third with 21%, about 6,800 votes short of Mr Celestin.

On Thursday, election officials announced they would hold an immediate vote recount in the presence of all top three candidates and international observers.

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