(BBC) The authorities in Haiti face a critical week or so in deciding who should be involved in the second round of the presidential election.
The US and the UN have backed a call to drop a government-backed candidate from the runoff.
They supported a recommendation by the Organisation of American States/Caribbean Community (OAS/Caricom) for the candidate, Jude Celestin, to be replaced by singer Michel Martelly.
Martelly would run against former First Lady Mirlande Manigat, winner of the most votes in the 28 November first round.
The US has stepped up the pressure on President Rene Preval by revoking visas for some Haitian government officials.
UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy also warned that Haiti could face more political instability unless the government accepts the recommendations of the OAS/Caricom observer mission.
Le Roy said he understood the Haitian electoral council aimed to issue definitive first round election results on 31 January and hold the run-off in mid-February.
Martelly has warned that there could be more unrest if he is not on the second round ballot.
“We are going to take to the streets peacefully,” he said Friday. “I am in a fight to make sure the voice of the people is respected.”
One of the 12 initial presidential candidates, Jean-Henry Ceant, even called for the “complete annulment” of the elections because of the claims of widespread fraud.
US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said Washington’s focus was on ensuring a free, fair, credible election process in Haiti, as he sought to explain the visa revocations.
