PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (ELCA) -- Gaylord M. Thomas, director, community development services, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Division for Church in Society, served as an observer in an election that was the country's first democratic process in three years.
The elections took place on May 21, 2000, after being postponed three times.
"I was inspired by what I saw there," Thomas said. "The people had a tremendous desire to participate in a democratic process and to vote for whom they wanted, despite obstacles such as illiteracy."
"I saw people coming out of the mountains at five o'clock in the morning to vote," said Thomas.
However, Thomas said he witnessed suspicious activity. "We saw some irregularities and inconsistencies in the vote counting process that made us question whether the election was conducted fairly."
Thomas was one of the observers representing the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). The LWF is a global communion of 128 member churches in 70 countries representing 59.4 million of the world's 63.1 million Lutherans. The ELCA is a member of LWF.
Kaanaeli Makundi, acting director, LWF department for world service, said the LWF is interested in ecumenical electoral observation. The LWF's goal is "to contribute through a physical presence, during the next election, to the consolidation of the democratic process in Haiti and to point out LWF's and the churches' commitment toward the Haitian people."
Thomas said he wanted to participate as an observer because he was moved by the struggles of the Haitian people. He also wanted to follow up on an economic development project he was working on in which new affordable homes were being built in Haiti.
"It's highly important that the faith community recruit more international observers for future elections so we can get a better understanding of peoples' struggles," he said.
[*Michael N. Hoffman is a junior at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan. This summer he is an intern with ELCA News and Information.]
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
