A special commission is set to review the results of Haitis presidential elections that have sparked deadly protests.

The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) announced yesterday that it had ordered a "rapid and exceptional" review of the results against the background of the clear dissatisfaction of many voters, protests and violence.

Since the CEP announced on Tuesday night that former first lady Mirlande Manigat and the candidate of the ruling Inite party, Jude Célestin, would go forward to a January run-off after none of the candidates got a clear majority in the polls, thousands of Haitians particularly those in support of popular musician Michel Sweet Micky Martelly who was identified as a frontrunner in unofficial polls have taken to the streets of the capital and other cities to protest. They have accused outgoing president René Préval and his handpicked successor, Célestin, of rigging the results.

The special commission will verify the tally sheets of votes cast for Manigat, who came out on top in the first round results; Célestin, who unofficial polls had said was not even in the running; and Martelly, who the CEP said was less than a percent behind Célestin.

The commission will include national and international observers and representatives of the three candidates.

The candidates have welcomed the move.

The CEP is expected to confirm the preliminary results of the first round on December 20th before a runoff can go ahead next month.

There have been calls within and outside the country for Haitians and the candidates they support to allow the dispute to be resolved through the legal channels.

Protestors have set up burning barricades, blocking off parts of the capital and nearby areas; set fire to the ruling Inites party headquarters; attacked public buildings, shops, a radio station belonging to a legislative candidate of the ruling party; and clashed with security forces. Supporters of opposing candidates have also clashed themselves.

The unrest has left five people dead, several others injured, and forced a virtual shutdown of some parts of the country.