Wyclef not giving up presidential bid
Musician to appeal decision of Haiti council that he can't run for president
Last Updated: Sunday, August 22, 2010 | 1:58 PM ET
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Recording artist Wyclef Jean says he'll challenge a decision by Haiti's electoral council that prevents him from running for president. (Richard Drew/Associated Press)Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean announced on Sunday that he will appeal a decision by Haiti's electoral council that prevents him from running in the Nov. 28 presidential election.
Speaking to The Associated Press from his Haitian home in Croix des Bouquets, Jean, 40, said his lawyers will appear before a Haitian court on Monday to appeal the decision with the national electoral dispute office.
The former Fugees rapper said he has a document "which shows everything is correct," and that he and his aides "feel that what is going on here has everything to do with Haitian politics."
Jean's candidacy was rejected by the country's elections board on Friday because he hasn't lived in Haiti for the past five years, as is required of presidential candidates.
Despite fears of unrest after Jean's disqualification, Agence France-Press reported the capital city of Port-au-Prince appeared calm on Saturday and Sunday.
Jean, who had a strong following among Haiti's young people, reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law in a statement issued after the electoral council's decision.
"Tomorrow our lawyers are appealing the decision of the CEP," he added in a Sunday message on Twitter, referring to the Conseil Electoral Provisoire, or Provisional Electoral Council. "We have met with all the requirements set by the laws. And the law must be respected."
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