Early Tally Shows Aristide Party Winning Haiti Senate

Former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s party has won control of Haiti’s Senate, according to partial returns from last week’s election.

The results of the May 21 vote, which was delayed at least four times, suggest strong support for the former priest, who is expected to run for president again this fall.

The ballot was widely seen as a last chance for democracy in the impoverished, unstable Caribbean nation of 8 million people.

The first results, released late Monday, showed the Lavalas Family party winning 14 of the 27 seats in the Senate.

Of the other five seats that were up for election, one was won by independent Luc Fleurinor, two had not been counted as of Monday night and voting was rescheduled in two because of technical problems.

Although voting was peaceful, the results seem likely to deepen divisions here.

Opponents claim Lavalas widely intimidated opposition candidates in the months before the vote, rendering it unfair.

At least 15 people were slain in political killings in the two months leading up to the balloting.

Most opposition parties accuse President Rene Preval and Aristide of collaborating to establish a totalitarian state.

Aristide was elected president in 1990 but was overthrown in a 1991 army-backed coup. U.S. troops restored him to power in 1994, but Haitian law barred him from seeking a consecutive term in 1995 elections.