Parliament 21 June rejected President Martelly’s PM nominee Daniel-Gerard Rouzier; 42 voted against, most from ex-President Préval’s Inité party.

President Martelly inaugurated 14 May; Martelly 20 May nominated economist Daniel-Gerard Rouzier as new PM. Provisional electoral commission (CEP) 11 May reversed results in 15 of 19 contested parliamentary seats previously awarded to Inité party in March election; U.S. criticised decision, said none of remaining seats should have gone to Inité. Independent report commissioned by UNSG Ban 4 May indicated Nepali UN peacekeepers likely source of 2010 cholera outbreak. UN OCHA warned rainy season could revive epidemic. Martelly 5 May said he wants MINUSTAH to leave between 2012 and 2015, to be replaced by restored national army he wants to create during his tenure. Ban 16 May appointed former Chilean FM Mariano Fernández new head of MINUSTAH. Parliament 9 May approved constitutional changes allowing diaspora to vote in national elections, run for local govt office.

Provisional electoral council (CEP) 20 Apr declared Michel Martelly winner of March presidential run-off vote with 68%. Low 23% turnout; Martelly to be inaugurated 14 May. Martelly’s Repons Pezyizan party only won 3 seats in lower house, none in Senate, necessitating collaboration with ruling Inité party. U.S. 22 Apr questioned CEP’s declaration of 19 legislative candidates winners, most from Inité party, despite their low tallies in preliminary results; OAS-CARICOM observers 29 Apr recommended annulling final vote count for contested seats, accepting preliminary results. International Organisation for Migration 1 Apr reported some 680,000 left in post-earthquake camps, down from 1.5 million in July 2010, but said still desperate lack of housing.

Delayed presidential runoff vote held 20 March; international observers said vote free and fair despite “isolated” violence that killed at least 2; preliminary results delayed until 4 April; final results due 16 April. Ex-President Aristide 18 March returned to Haiti after 7-year exile; U.S. criticised return as disruptive of election process. Aristide said ban of his Fanmi Lavalas (FL) party unfair; FL now likely to contest partial senate, local elections due in 2011.

Provisional electoral council 3 Feb announced official results from 28 Nov presidential elections: Michel Martelly and Mirlande Manigat to contest 20 March run-off, leaving out governing Inite party candidate Jude Célestin, who accepted ruling; U.S., OAS praised decision. Analysts warned of possible renewed fraud in run-off unless technical capacity to organise election strengthened. Govt 7 Feb confirmed 3-month extension of President Preval’s term to 14 May. Govt 9 Feb issued diplomatic passport to ex-President Aristide, ousted in 2004 popular revolt; U.S. said Aristide’s return before run-off vote could be “distracting”.

Post-election turmoil continued with uncertainty ahead of 2 Feb release of final results. OAS report leaked 12 Jan noted widespread fraud in Nov vote, recommended exclusion of 51,000 fraudulent votes, eliminating President Préval’s favoured candidate Jude Célestin and putting Mirlande Manigat and Michel Martelly in runoff. Despite intense U.S.-led international pressure, provisional electoral council (CEP) 18 Jan said will not alter official results, despite OAS recommendation. Ruling party Inité 26 Jan announced withdrawal of Célestin, but Célestin himself refused to pull out. CEP 29 Jan announced final results will be released 2 Feb, runoff to take place 20 March. Former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier 16 Jan made surprise return to Haiti, unclear why. Duvalier 18 Jan charged with corruption, embezzlement during his rule. UN OCHA 6 Jan said it had only received 25% of requested US$174mn aid to counter cholera epidemic. On anniversary of earthquake, aid groups sharply criticised slow rebuilding process, ineffectiveness of reconstruction commission: 1 million still displaced, only 5% of rubble cleared.

Post-election confusion continued amid widespread accusations of fraud against President Préval. Preliminary results 8 Dec showed Mirlande Manigat and pro-govt candidate Jude Celestin heading for Jan run-off vote, but final results yet to be announced as OAS-led international panel reviewing numerous claims of fraud. Panel arrived 26 Dec, findings expected mid-Jan. At least 5 people killed in demonstrations against preliminary results 8 Dec, led by supporters of third- placed candidate Michel Martelly; Martelly trailed Celestin by 7,000 votes, despite preliminary and partial estimates showing him ahead of Celestin. Joint EU, OAS, UN statement 13 Dec urged govt to use “all legal means” to ensure credible election result. Close to 2,800 killed in cholera outbreak during month; UNSG Ban 17 Dec announced independent panel to investigate if disease originated with MINUSTAH peacekeepers.

12 of 18 presidential candidates, all tied to opposition, initially denounced ”massive fraud” on morning of 28 Nov presidential, legislative elections. Of the 12, all but 2 – who exit polls indicated among leading candidates – later filed for annulment of vote; demonstrations across country as undetermined number unable to vote due to organisational problems. Govt claimed vote went ”well”, OAS and Caricom observers 29 Nov said vote valid despite ”serious irregularities”, criticised opposition move; final results expected from 5 Dec. Cholera epidemic worsened: close to 2,000 killed since Oct; 5 of 10 districts affected, first cases confirmed in Port-au-Prince early month. At least 3 civil- ians killed mid-month in violent anti-MINUSTAH demonstrations triggered by widespread rumours that cholera originated with Nepalese peacekeepers; protests started in Cap-Haitien and Hinche, spread to capital 18 Nov; UN denies rumours. UN 12 Nov warned more than 200,000 at risk of contracting disease, epidemic likely to last for months; requested US$164mn in aid over next year.

Cholera epidemic starting mid month killed at least 330, infected 4,800; govt said stabilising by 25 Oct, but feared could still spread to overcrowded capital, including IDP camps. MINUSTAH 28 Oct “categorically denied” accusations that epidemic caused by poor sanitation at one of its bases. In response to growing post-earthquake violence and gang activity, MINUSTAH boosted police presence in worst-affected Port-au-Prince slums. UNSC 14 Oct renewed MINUSTAH mandate for 1 year.

UN 1 Sept warned of violence in context of Nov elections, citing increased arms trafficking and gang control over IDP camps, 13 Sept announced program to curb spiralling gender-based violence in camps. Election campaign officially began 27 Sept amid continued controversy over electoral council’s independence. Political organisations and candidates from across political spectrum registered for elections; 4 groups along with Fanmi Lavalas factions announced intention to call for boycott. 24 Sept storm killed 6, affected 11,000 families, 162 IDP camps, Port-au-Prince.