Haiti’s government established a provisional electoral council on Wednesday, marking the most significant progress in years toward restarting the electoral process, which had been derailed by political instability and violence. The country aims to hold elections by 2026, a decade after the last vote in 2016.
Under normal conditions, elections would occur every five years, but Haiti’s political crisis worsened following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, leaving the nation without a president. Armed gangs now control about 80% of Port-au-Prince and much of the country.
The newly formed council includes representatives for seven seats, covering religious groups, journalists, farmers, and unions, according to the prime minister’s office.
Two seats, one for human rights organizations and one for women’s rights groups, remain vacant, the office said on X.
The newly established council will be responsible for drafting the legal framework for elections and overseeing the planning process.
Haiti’s transitional presidential council, a separate body that has governed since April, created the electoral council during a recent meeting.
The presidential council’s term ends in February 2026, by which time elections must take place.
A prior electoral council was dissolved in 2021 under Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who assumed office after President Moise’s assassination.
However, Henry was ousted earlier this year after leaving the country to garner support for an international security mission and being unable to return.
In Haiti, executive power is intended to be shared between the president and prime minister.
In May, the interim government appointed Garry Conille as prime minister. However, both the transitional councils face significant challenges in restoring stability to the country.
So far, only Kenya and Jamaica have sent forces to Haiti as part of the U.N.-backed anti-gang initiative, which is set to expire in early October unless its mandate is renewed.
A draft resolution indicated the mission could be transformed into a formal U.N. peacekeeping operation, which would secure funding and extend its duration.
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