Urban World

Wyclef Jean Denied Presidential Bid

Wyclef Jean has been told he is not allowed to run in the country's presidential election.

The musician officially registered to enter the presidential bid earlier this month was told by the Hatian constitution that it requires candidates to have lived in the country for five years prior to an election. Wyclef, 40, moved to the USA when he was nine years old. 

Electoral council spokesman Richard Dumel said officials had accepted 19 candidacies and rejected 15 others.

Following the ruling, the former Fugees star issued a statement saying he disagreed with the council's decision but accepted it and advised his supporters to do the same.

"We must all honour the memories of those we have lost - whether in the earthquake, or at any time - by responding peacefully and responsibly to this disappointment," he said.

"I want to assure my countrymen that I will continue to work for Haiti's renewal. Although the board has determined that I am not a resident of Haiti, home is where the heart is - and my heart has and will always be in Haiti."

The country is still in the recovery phase from January's earthquake, which killed an estimated 230,000 people and left more than one million homeless.

There was talk of the rapper wanting to appeal the decision, however, this week an electoral council lawyer revealed that a ruling by the constitution cannot be appealed.

Samuel Pierre, from the electoral council's legal department, said that according to article 191 of the country's electoral law, decisions by the election authority's disputes tribunal cannot be challenged.

"Therefore, there is absolutely no possibility for Wyclef Jean to be added to the list of candidates approved to run in the next presidential elections,

"So it's over," he concluded.