Haitians defy violence threats to vote to restore democracy

Braving threats of violence, Haitians lined up by the thousands Sunday for the chance to vote to restore a democratic government and, in the process, free a half-billion dollars in desperately needed foreign aid.

Braving threats of violence, Haitians lined up by the thousands Sunday for the chance to vote to restore a democratic government and, in the process, free a half-billion dollars in desperately needed foreign aid.

The Haitians' strong determination to vote - not seen since 1990 elections brought Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power in Haiti's first democratic election - were frustrated by hours-long delays.

It appeared officials would extend voting beyond the scheduled 5 p.m. (2200 GMT) close, which could pose problems since most parts of this impoverished country have no electricity to light polling stations.

By noon, most voting places were functioning. But more than 100 disgruntled voters protested in the seaside shantytown of Cite Soleil, briefly closing some polling booths. Radio Vision 2000 said that of 120 stations there, eight had no voting materials and another 20 never opened.

Police restored order without incident.

Also voting in numbers for the first time since 1990 were members of Haiti's middle and upper class, who had shunned the increasingly fraudulent election process.

Electoral officials said security concerns delayed distribution of voters' rolls and ballot papers.

Chief opposition leader Gerard Pierre-Charles condemned it as "sabotage." He also charged that opposition monitors were being kept out of polling stations. "This will lead to fraud," he warned.

A policeman was seriously wounded, shot just west of the capital in Croix de Bouquet by supporters of a minor party candidate who was arrested on charges of election fraud. Galaxy Radio said the officer, Abelard Clairville, later died. And the candidate, Jean Villard, was subsequently released.