Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. US Concerned About Haiti Election Results, New Protests Erupt VOA News 08 December 2010 A Haitian throws a tire into fire during a protest following presidential elections in Port-au-Prince, 8 Dec 2010 Photo: Reuters A Haitian throws a tire into fire during a protest following presidential elections in Port-au-Prince, 8 Dec 2010 The United States has expressed concern over what it has called the "inconsistent" results of Haiti's presidential election. Late Tuesday, the nation's provisional electoral council announced that former First Lady Mirlande Manigat and ruling party candidate Jude Celestin have advanced to the second round of the country's presidential poll. Third-place candidate Michel Martelly trailed by less than one percent of the vote. The council says no candidate won more than 50 percent of the vote in the November 28 election. The runoff election has been scheduled for January 16. A statement released by the U.S. embassy said the results are inconsistent with the published results of the National Observation Council as well as domestic, U.S. and international observers. Protests, gunfire Shortly after the results were released, protests and sporadic gunfire were reported around the capital, Port-au-Prince. Witnesses say protestors set up burning barricades in the capital's Petionville district. The election, held on schedule despite a cholera outbreak, was marred by violence and accusations of cheating. Many voters were unable to find the correct polling station despite repeated attempts. Candidate challenges Several presidential candidates have already challenged the vote.  Merchants and residents in the capital, Port-au-Prince, had prepared for possible riots after the release of the vote tally. On Sunday, protestors clashed with police, accusing outgoing President Rene Preval's government of trying to manipulate the vote in Celestin's favor. International observers have said the elections should be considered valid, despite irregularities that generated the protests and fraud allegations. The electoral council declared the balloting a success. Past woes An earthquake in January killed more than 200,000 people in Haiti and left 1 million others homeless. The ongoing cholera outbreak, first reported in October, has led to more than 2,000 deaths. U.S. health officials have said the outbreak is similar to strains commonly found in South Asia. The bacterial infection is spread by ingesting contaminated food or water. The disease is treatable but can kill within hours without treatment. .