Haiti electoral council explores diaspora voting in Chile, Brazil
Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has sent a delegation to Chile and Brazil as it explores plans to allow Haitians living abroad to participate in the country’s upcoming elections.
The delegation, which includes CEP Vice President Jaccéus Joseph and councilors Patrick Saint-Hilaire and Marie Florence Matthieu, has been visiting the two South American countries since August 18 to discuss diaspora voting and strengthen electoral cooperation.
During the Chile leg of the mission, the delegation held talks with the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on possible cooperation in preparing for Haiti’s elections.
Discussions included training for election personnel, institutional strengthening and the sharing of Chile’s experience and best practices in facilitating voting for citizens living overseas.
Chile’s Foreign Ministry pledged to work with the country’s Electoral Service, known as SERVEL, to support cooperation with Haitian electoral authorities.
The CEP delegation also met with representatives of the Chilean government and SERVEL to discuss the organization of Haiti’s upcoming elections and the requirements for allowing Haitians living in Chile to participate.
Following the meetings in Chile, the delegation traveled to Brazil to continue discussions on facilitating diaspora participation in the electoral process.
The CEP said the initiative forms part of its efforts to expand participation by Haitians living overseas while strengthening cooperation with foreign electoral institutions.
The mission comes as Haiti prepares to hold its first elections in a decade. The first round of presidential and legislative elections, along with a constitutional referendum, is scheduled for December 13.
Haitians last voted in a presidential election in 2016, when Jovenel Moïse was elected. Moïse was assassinated in July 2021, and the country has not had an elected president since.
A second round of presidential and legislative elections, along with local elections, is scheduled for February 21, 2027.