The leading candidate in Haiti's presidential elections, Mirlande Manigat, said through her lawyers on Friday that she no longer favoured a vote recount proposed by the country's electoral council.
“On close scrutiny, it turns out that this proposal contains neither time nor date for inviting interested parties,” the lawyers representing Ms. Manigat said in a statement.
Initial results showed Ms. Manigat, a 70-year-old academic and former first lady, in the lead with 31.37 per cent (336,378 votes), Jude Celestin second with 22.48 per cent (241,462 votes) and Michel Martelly third with 21.84 per cent (234,617 votes).
The biggest loser in the elections, singer-turned-politician Mr. Martelly — who missed out on a place in the second round by less than 7,000 votes — ruled out his participation in a recount, dismissing it as “a trap”.