PORT-AU-PRINCE: One of the candidates in Haiti's presidential runoff called the first-round results of October 25 elections a farce Friday, amid growing opposition protests in the impoverished Caribbean country.
Jude Celestin, of the Lapeh party, garnered 25 percent of the vote, according to results announced Thursday.
He faces ruling party candidate Jovenel Moise, the frontrunner at 32 percent, in a December 27 runoff.
The results are a "ridiculous farce," the 53-year-old Celestin told a news conference. "The results of the people have yet to be announced."
Speaking of the current government of President Michel Martelly, he added: "They have put in place a repressive force to crush the people, to kill the people, but they won't be able to kill all the people."
Celestin's comments -- met with applause from supporters -- came as opposition protests grew.
In some spots in the capital, tires were set ablaze.
"They don't respect young people. They think they can do whatever they want with us," said one protester, Metelus Lafontant.
"If they don't want to change their results, they'll have to kill all Haitians because it's not how we voted," added the student.
"If they don't change, we'll take the streets and the country will never have stability."
The United Nations and the "Core Group" of countries comprising the ambassadors of Brazil, Canada, France, Spain, the United States and the European Union "deplored isolated incidents of violence and vandalism."
In a statement issued late Friday, the diplomats "urged the Haitian authorities to arrest and try those responsible, in full compliance with the law."
The Organization of American States announced it was sending an observer mission for the runoff.
The October 25 election was the latest attempt in the Americas' poorest country to shed chronic political instability and work toward development.
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