No elections have been held in Haiti for ten years, and the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) announced on October 5 that the scheduled elections have been postponed again due to organizational issues. The new date for the elections, originally set for December 13, has not yet been revealed.
The elections were intended to establish a new head of state and a parliament in a country facing severe challenges, including rampant gang violence that affects large portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The latest postponement follows adjustments made to the electoral decree, which have been issued multiple times over the past five months by the Council of Ministers, led by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. These last-minute changes have been described as technical in nature, aiming to make the electoral process more competitive and reducing candidacy registration fees. However, critics argue that these alterations disrupt the political calendar and leave citizens in a state of uncertainty.
Human rights advocates, particularly within the LGBT+ community, have expressed their dismay over the continued delays. Merlin Jean, an LGBT+ activist from Ouanaminthe, stated, “I understand the difficulties related to insecurity, but Haiti cannot remain without elections indefinitely.” He emphasized the need for transparency and a commitment to a realistic timeline as the country requires both security and legitimate political representation.
Another activist, Johnny Clergé from Port-au-Prince, warned that the postponement could aggravate the already dire political climate. He noted that various political parties protested on October 10, insisting on Fils-Aimé’s resignation, which they believe could lead to further political instability.
Since being appointed earlier this year, Fils-Aimé has been at the helm of Haiti’s interim government, and his administration faces increasing criticism. On October 10, a coalition known as the National Consensus Assembly, comprised of civil society groups and political factions, convened to discuss potential leadership changes, advocating for a dual-leadership model with both a president and a transitional prime minister.
Clergé indicated that the lack of international interest in Haiti reflects the failures of the current transitional government, which has been unable to facilitate elections or address the ongoing crises. The political uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on the populace, compounding daily struggles, as evident by recent internet service outages.
