Wyclef Jean steps toward Haitian presidential race
source: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N2998394.htm
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* Submits fingerprints, prepares legal papers
* Says he hasn't decided whether to run
* Candidate registration deadline is Aug. 7
Grammy-award winning singer Wyclef Jean said on Thursday that he has taken legal steps toward running for president in quake-devastated Haiti, but has not made a definite decision to run.
Jean, who said he is qualified to run for Haiti's highest office, was in Haiti to work with lawyers and have his fingerprints taken by the judicial police as part of the legal process of preparing to run for president.
"I basically come out to Haiti today because it was important that I do my fingerprints," Jean told Reuters as he left the Port-au-Prince international airport for the United States on Thursday.
"There are a lot of rumors that I am running for president. I have not declared that," said Jean, 37. "If we decide to move forward, I am pretty sure that we have all our paperwork straight."
Haiti, which was ravaged on Jan. 12 by a deadly 7.0-magnitude earthquake, is scheduled to vote on Nov. 28 to elect a new leader to replace President Rene Preval, whose term ends in February.
The deadline for candidates to register is Aug. 7. Jean said he will take his decision with his wife Claudinette and their daughter Angelina.
"As a family, we must decide on what we're going to do because it is a big sacrifice," he said.
Sources close to the singer told Reuters Jean will officially announce his candidacy next week on CNN before flying back to Haiti to enter the race. When asked by Reuters about such plans, Jean did not confirm or deny the preparations.
Many analysts predict Jean -- who is very popular among Haitians, particularly the young -- would easily win the presidential election if his candidacy were approved
* Says he hasn't decided whether to run
* Candidate registration deadline is Aug. 7
Grammy-award winning singer Wyclef Jean said on Thursday that he has taken legal steps toward running for president in quake-devastated Haiti, but has not made a definite decision to run.
Jean, who said he is qualified to run for Haiti's highest office, was in Haiti to work with lawyers and have his fingerprints taken by the judicial police as part of the legal process of preparing to run for president.
"I basically come out to Haiti today because it was important that I do my fingerprints," Jean told Reuters as he left the Port-au-Prince international airport for the United States on Thursday.
"There are a lot of rumors that I am running for president. I have not declared that," said Jean, 37. "If we decide to move forward, I am pretty sure that we have all our paperwork straight."
Haiti, which was ravaged on Jan. 12 by a deadly 7.0-magnitude earthquake, is scheduled to vote on Nov. 28 to elect a new leader to replace President Rene Preval, whose term ends in February.
The deadline for candidates to register is Aug. 7. Jean said he will take his decision with his wife Claudinette and their daughter Angelina.
"As a family, we must decide on what we're going to do because it is a big sacrifice," he said.
Sources close to the singer told Reuters Jean will officially announce his candidacy next week on CNN before flying back to Haiti to enter the race. When asked by Reuters about such plans, Jean did not confirm or deny the preparations.
Many analysts predict Jean -- who is very popular among Haitians, particularly the young -- would easily win the presidential election if his candidacy were approved
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