Haitian gov’t pledges neutrality in the electoral process

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) — Haiti’s Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé says he has instructed members of the Cabinet and officials of the public administration “to demonstrate neutrality and impartiality and to provide their full support to the smooth running of the electoral process” as Haiti prepares for a December 13 election. General elections, repeatedly delayed since 2019, are scheduled for December 13, marking the first time Haitians will be casting ballots since 2016 when President Jovenel Moise was elected. Moise was later assassinated on July 7, 2021. Fils-Aimé said that “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”. He said that it is therefore necessary to reassure the population, political parties and civil society actors of the Government’s neutrality in the electoral process. A resolution reaffirming the Government’s commitment to neutrality in the electoral process was adopted at the last meeting of the Council of Ministers. According to the resolution, the Government acknowledged having regard to the electoral decree of June 2, 2026, and amended one month later that there is “the need to establish leadership based on trust, balance and neutrality at the executive level”, noting that “these are essential conditions for the prompt organisation of inclusive and transparent elections to install elected authorities”. The resolution also notes that it is the Government’s responsibility to take all necessary measures to create a safe and stable environment conducive to the conduct of elections and that in keeping with the relevant orders  “no public official, civil servant, employee of the national public administration, member of the Government, or senior official may use state equipment and resources to engage in electoral propaganda activities in favour of one or more candidates, political parties, groups, or coalitions of political parties, under penalty of sanctions”. The Government is also warning that any one breaching the principle of neutrality during the electoral process shall face the penalties provided for by the laws and regulations in force. Meanwhile, Haiti has revised the electoral rules for the third time in four months amid fears that the December 13 poll date will not be met. The revised electoral decree, which was published in the official Gazette on Thursday, establishes the framework for organising elections for president, legislative and local officials along with a constitutional referendum. The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has been pushing for the deadline for online candidate registration and submission of required documents to October 31, postponing the official start of campaigning. It said that a new updated electoral calendar would soon be published, and although the revised decree continues to bar individuals sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council from running for president, Parliament and local elections, it does not automatically disqualify those who have been sanctioned solely by individual foreign governments, including the United States and Canada, or by the European Union.