PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) — The Secretary general of the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF), Michaëlle Jean, has expressed concerns about the ongoing political stalemate in Haiti as legislators again failed to agree on whether or not to extend the term of Interim President Jocelerme Privert.

The legislators ended their much anticipated meeting early Wednesday morning with the president of the National Assembly, Cholzer Chancy, indicating that there were not enough legislators present to form a quorum.

The necessary quorum is of 60 deputies and 16 senators, but legislators despite meeting behind closed doors into the early hours of Wednesday were unable to agree on a vote.

In a message, Jean said: “I would like once again to underline the necessity to maintain a peaceful political climate in order to lead to completion the electoral process, essential to the stability of the country.

“In this regard, I condemn all acts of violence that have been recorded in recent days and I appeal to the sense of responsibility of all Haitians,” she added.

The Secretary General said she was urging all political actors to make every effort to promote dialogue in the best interest of the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country, noting that any initiative which might be taken in this context must work towards the completion of the electoral process as soon as possible.

Privert came to office in the so-called ‘February 6’ agreement after then President Michel Martelly left office without a successor being elected.

Privert was due to serve as interim President for 120 days, and an election scheduled for April 24, following an agreement between Haitian stakeholders to preserve institutional continuity and further the electoral process.

But the election has not taken place and is now most likely to be held on October 9. If a candidate does not receive the necessary number of votes to prevent a second round, then that will take place on January 8, 2017 and the final election results will be published January 30, next year

The October elections would also include voting for one-third of the Senate.

More than two dozen candidates last Wednesday signed up to enter the race for Haiti’s presidency, including the four leading candidates from an earlier election aborted after a commission found widespread fraud.

Jean said that the OIF would continue to support the electoral process in Haiti.