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WYCLEF JEAN CASTS VOTE IN HAITI’S ELECTION: Fugee joins millions in poll crucial to country’s future.
*Wyclef Jean participated in the national election held in his native country of Haiti on Tuesday (Feb. 8), calling the experience “a historical day.”
The artist, a member of the recently-reunited hip hop outfit The Fugees, joined millions who turned out to elect a government to replace that of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was ousted in a bloody rebellion two years ago.
The election was surprisingly peaceful, note international observers. Votes were still being counted on Wednesday when Jean told the Associated Press: “No matter what happens today, yesterday was historical. The only thing that erupted was the thirst to vote.”
Jean flew in via helicopter because commercial flights to Port-au-Prince were suspended on election day. Upon arrival, he made a beeline to a voting center and quickly became disenchanted with the long lines – some over a mile long.
"What was sad was just the condition the people were put in to vote,” he told AP. “Where I was sent to vote ... I mean, I'm walking and there's piss on the floor. I was, like, how is all these people going to get into this little corridor? It was the most insane thing.”
The fact that the elections were held peacefully should be a sign that Haiti’s future holds promise.
"People showed incredible patience, and that should send out a signal internationally that the Haitian people are not violent people,” Jean said. “I think in the situation that we're in, the international community must not let us down.”
When asked who he voted for in the election, he simply pointed to his green shirt. "See, that should let you know everything."
Green symbolizes hope in Haiti — and Hope is the name of candidate Rene Preval's party. Preval, the front-runner, is highly popular among the poor and has pledged to do all he can to relieve their plight.
