HAITI’S senate called on Wednesday for the suspension of this weekend’s presidential run-off and legislative elections in response to days of violent protests.

However, senators said their vote was non-binding on the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP).

Constitutional historian Georges Michel insisted: "They can just ignore this vote and the senators know that."

But CEP spokesman Roudy Stanley Penn would not say what the council’s response would be.

The presidential run-off pits government-backed candidate Jovenel Moise against opposition contender Jude Celestin.

Mr Celestin is boycotting the elections over claims that the electoral machine is rigging the vote, although his name will still appear on ballots.

Opposition Senator Steven Benoit, one of numerous presidential candidates who did not make the two-candidate run-off, said he was hopeful that the senate resolution could motivate authorities to halt the elections and prevent what he believes is interference from the US.