The Haiti government said Thursday it will hold presidential and legislative elections on Dec 27, the country's first after a violent rebellion forced President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to flee last year, said reports reaching Havana.

A total of 35 candidates were expected to run for the presidency after three other aspirants were rejected earlier this week, two because of their US citizenship and one for inadequate documentation.

One of the rejected candidates, Dumarsais Simeus, has complained loudly about the validity of the election commission which made the dismissal decision. Simeus is a popular businessman with dual citizenship who lived in the United States for over 40 years.

If none of the candidates wins an outright majority in the first round in December, a runoff will be held on Jan. 31. Under Haiti's constitution, a new president should be sworn in by Feb. 7.

Meanwhile, about 1,300 people will run for 130 seats in the parliament.

The polls have been delayed twice which Haitian officials blamed to organization problems. They said the distribution of ballots to 4.5 million eligible voters was tougher than expected as the lack of roads and infrastructure made some remote villages accessible only by foot.

(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2005)