Haiti’s Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has directed members of his Cabinet and public officials to uphold neutrality in the electoral process as the nation prepares for general elections set for December 13. He emphasized that maintaining the government’s impartiality is essential for fostering public trust in the electoral process, which has faced multiple delays since 2019.
“The credibility of the electoral process rests on citizens’ trust in the neutrality of public institutions and in the equal treatment of all candidates, political parties, groups, and coalitions of political parties,” Fils-Aimé stated, underlining the importance of transparency and fairness.
A resolution reinforcing the government’s pledge to neutrality was passed in the Council of Ministers’ latest meeting. The resolution refers to an electoral decree issued on June 2 and revised in July, advocating for leadership that emphasizes trust, balance, and neutrality to ensure inclusive elections and the establishment of elected officials.
Additionally, the resolution mandates that the government take necessary actions to create a safe environment for voting. Public officials, civil servants, and senior government employees are prohibited from utilizing state resources for electoral campaigning on behalf of any candidate or political party, with potential sanctions for any violations.
Fils-Aimé reiterated the government’s commitment to reassuring the population, political parties, and civil society of its impartiality throughout the electoral process. However, Haiti’s electoral rules have been amended three times in just four months, casting doubt on whether the December 13 election date can be adhered to.
The most recent revised electoral decree, published in the official gazette, outlines the framework for elections for the presidency, Parliament, local offices, and a constitutional referendum. The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) is currently seeking an extension for online candidate registration and the submission of supporting documents to October 31, which will delay the official commencement of campaigning.
An updated electoral calendar is expected to be released shortly. The revised decree continues to disqualify individuals sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council from running in elections, but it does not exclude individuals sanctioned solely by foreign governments, such as the United States and Canada, or by the European Union.
The upcoming elections will mark Haiti’s first national vote since 2016, following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021. The country has since grappled with ongoing political instability and insecurity in the absence of elected leadership.
