Preliminary results of the first round of balloting placed former

first lady Mirlande Manigat in the lead with 31 percent of the

vote, followed by ruling party candidate Jude Celestin who had

22 percent.

Hopes that the final results of the Haitian presidential elections would be released today have been dashed, as the announcement has been delayed to allow the Organsiation of American States (OAS) to finish a probe into the controversial vote.

Last night, about 24 hours before the results of the November 28th poll were to be made public, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) said that it had agreed to hold off publication of the results for the OAS investigation.

Preliminary results of the first round of balloting placed former first lady Mirlande Manigat in the lead with 31 percent of the vote, followed by ruling party candidate Jude Celestin who had 22 percent.

The two were identified to go forward for a January run-off. But the announcement sparked violent protests and riots which left about five people dead and several others injured, as supporters of opposition candidates and particularly those backing popular musician Michel Sweet Micky Martelly who came third accused President Rene Prévals party of rigging the elections.

The OAS, which joined CARICOM in mounting an electoral observation mission to Haiti, has stepped in to help authorities verify the results at the request of President Préval.

OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin, who visited Haiti after the President asked the OAS to assist, told French news agency AFP that the mission would only have travelled to Haiti if the CEPs announcement of results was postponed.

"There's no sense in clarifying the election results if those results are made final," he said, adding that it is important to not only focus on the electoral aspect but also on "creating momentum for political acceptance of the final outcome of the clarification process.

No date has been given for the OAS mission to be set up and start its work but Ramdin said the process of clarification and recount will begin after the terms of reference are agreed upon by the top three candidates.

Martelly and Manigat have expressed reservations about a recount and Martelly last week called for a totally new poll to be conducted.