The UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), which is led by a Brazilian commander, remains on standby alert as another postponement of the country's elections is announced.

According to the Brazilian force spokesman, lieutenant colonel Fernando da Cunha Matos, it will not be possible to hold the elections on January 8, as scheduled, because of delays in the preparations for the balloting.

It is reported that at the moment out of 4.5 million eligible voters, around 70%, some 3.5 million, have registered. But there have been problems with getting voters the documents they need to cast ballots, defining polling locations and training personnel to assist with the balloting.

According to Cunha Matos, MINUSTAH is assisting in creating "a safe and stable environment where it will be possible for the population to vote."

At the moment, the Brazilian contingent is the second largest component of MINUSTAH, behind troops from Jordan which number 1,500.

ABr

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