Haiti union calls for anti-government strike, protest to urge postponement of elections
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Opponents of Haiti's president hope to halt traffic and shut down businesses in the capital to press for a postponement of Nov. 28 elections.
Transport union leader Miguel St. Louis says a general strike is planned for Thursday.
Protesters will demand that a new electoral council be formed before the election. Opponents of President Rene Preval say the councilors are corrupt.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The stakes will be high for the next president, with billions of dollars in reconstruction contracts coming into Haiti.
Though few Haitians have formal jobs, calls for a general strike can often result in paralyzing protests. Frustrations are high over the slow pace of reconstruction.
Some residents stocked up on gas and water Wednesday.