Preval could face Haiti run-off

Thousands marched in support of Mr Preval this weekend

The prospect of a run-off vote in Haiti has grown, as the front-runner's share of the vote fell further.

With nearly 90% of the ballots counted, former President Rene Preval has 48.7% of the vote - just short of the 50% required to win outright.

Another ex-leader, Leslie Manigat, has 11.8%, while industrialist Charles Henri Baker has 7.9%, officials say.

Mr Preval used to be an ally of ex-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was forced out of power in 2004.

He has inherited Mr Aristide's strong support among the poor.

Final results are expected to be announced later on Monday - they had initially been scheduled for Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, there have been accusations of ballot mishandling. On Sunday, two members of Haiti's electoral council questioned vote counting procedures.

But the head of the board, Jacques Bernard, denied the allegations.

March

Mr Preval is leading more than 30 presidential candidates.

He held a 61% lead when the first results were released late last week, but his share of the vote has since dropped.

This weekend, thousands of people marched in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, to demand that Mr Preval be declared president without having to face a run-off on 19 March.

International observers have deemed the election free and fair, despite saying they were some minor procedural irregularities.

Candidate Charles Henri Baker insisted some people were allowed to vote more than once because voter lists were not followed.

Haiti - the poorest country in the continent - is choosing a 129-member parliament as well as a new president.

While the election process has been considered peaceful, correspondents say there are fears that a possible second round may bring fresh instability.