Haitian-born recording artist Wyclef Jean, confirmed rumors on Wednesday, August 4, that he planned to run for president of Haiti.  The following day he filed papers. Unfortunately, election officials found him ineligible to run for office.  While officials did not disclose the reasons Jean could not run for office, it is assumed that he could not run because he failed to meet the residency requirement.
With Jean apparently out of the race, there remains a crowded field of approximately three dozen candidates which include two former prime ministers and Raymond Joseph, the latter Jean’s uncle and a former ambassador.  Jean was to run for the Viv Ansanm (which translates as “live together”) party.
The winner of the race will succeed outgoing President René Préval, who is not eligible to run again due to term limits.
The election is scheduled for Sunday, November 28, 2010. A candidate will need to capture at least 50% of the vote to win outright or face a run-off.