CARICOM group raises concerns over Haiti election preparations, security
The CARICOM Eminent Persons Group (EPG) has raised concerns about voter registration, election requirements and worsening security in Haiti as the country prepares to hold its first round of elections on Dec. 13.
The group, which visited Haiti from Sept. 2-9, said Monday that it met with a broad range of political and civil society stakeholders, including representatives of the business community, youth, women and human rights organizations, as well as government institutions and the leadership of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF).
The visit allowed the EPG to assess Haiti’s political situation and preparations for elections as the country attempts to restore democratic governance after more than a decade without national elections.
The group said it observed several positive developments, including efforts to restart the electoral process and preparations by political parties to participate in the upcoming polls. Some parties are also forming political groupings ahead of the elections.
However, stakeholders raised concerns about new requirements under the amended Electoral Decree, describing some of the measures as unwieldy and onerous.
Among the concerns were the number of documents candidates must submit to the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) and the slow pace of voter registration.
According to the EPG, stakeholders reported that the registration process was falling short of expectations, partly because some areas of the country remain outside state control. They also called for greater public awareness of the electoral process and more voter registration centers.
While political parties are working to meet the requirements for participating in the elections, some have called for changes to procedures and requirements that could result in the Dec. 13 election date being postponed.
Despite those concerns, the EPG said stakeholders expressed a desire for “fair, credible, impartial and inclusive elections” that could bring an end to the successive transitional arrangements that have characterized Haiti’s prolonged political crisis.
Security remains a major obstacle to holding nationwide elections.
The EPG pointed to a recent spread and spike in deadly violence and kidnappings, as well as challenges slowing the deployment of the GSF.
Stakeholders stressed that improved security would be necessary to allow voter registration across the country, political campaigning and freedom of movement, as well as to ensure citizens can safely cast their ballots.
The group said the deployment of additional personnel and resources pledged by other countries, along with strategic coordination between those forces and Haitian security services, would be critical to creating the conditions necessary for elections.
“Haiti is at a critical juncture,” the EPG said.
With steps being taken by Haitians toward greater stability and a return to democratic governance, the group called on international partners to urgently fulfill their security commitments under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2793.
The EPG urged international partners to “refocus efforts to deliver with despatch on security commitments made” to support Haiti at what it described as a pivotal point in the country’s political transition.