Parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled in Haiti on August 9, October 25, and December 27, 2015. Haitians are scheduled to vote on virtually every public office in the country; including the President, 119 deputies, 20 senators, and over 5,000 municipal agents. The HAWG advocates for fair and timely elections free from intimidation, violence, and voter fraud.
Recent News:
electionsElection Observation Coalition Press Release
Preliminary Observations of the Coalition regarding the organization and the holding of the November 20, 2016 Elections:
On November 20 2016, the presidential and partial legislative elections were held in the national territory.
The Coalition of Electoral Observation composed of the following organizations observed the process leading up to the aforementioned election:
- Solidarity of Haitian Women – SOFA
- Council of National Electoral Observers – CNO
- Council of Non-State Haitian Actors – CONHANE
- National Human Rights Defense Network – RNDDH
- Center for Research and Analysis of Human Rights – CARDH
- Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations – POHDH
Before presenting its detailed report regarding the electoral process and election day, the Coalition wishes to share its first observations and impressions to all those interested in the issue. Read More
Elections Part V: The International Community
From the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)
Haiti Election Primer, Part 5: The International Community
Ever since the first democratic elections in 1990, the influence of foreign actors over Haiti’s political process has only increased. Foreign donors have financed Haitian elections, UN troops have transported ballots and guarded polling stations, international observers have granted (or withheld) legitimacy to electoral outcomes, and foreign embassies have intervened when postelectoral crises erupt.
Elections Part IV: Hurricane Matthew
From the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR):
Haiti Election Primer, Part 4: Hurricane Matthew
The devastating passage of hurricane Matthew has changed the dynamics of the upcoming election in Haiti. Following last year’s fraudulent elections, the new electoral council has been making changes in order to produce a more legitimate outcome this year, but the hurricane has raised new concerns. Read More
Children Send Strong Message to Political Candidates
Church World Service partner Aba System Restavek (ASR) organized a debate on Nov. 16 between children and the candidates for the Senate and Presidency. The aim of the event was to encourage all candidates to sign up to a commitment to addressing children’s issues. Unfortunately, none of the candidates turned up and the event was cancelled. Read More
Haiti Elections: The Parliament
This is Part III of an Elections series from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR).
Haiti Election Primer, Part 3: The Parliament
Read Part 1: Timeline of Key Events, here.
Read Part 2: Presidential Candidates and Their Parties, here.
Often lost in the discussion of Haiti’s presidential race is the fact that many legislative seats are up for grabs as well, including more than half of the Senate. Read More
Haiti Elections Primer Part II
From colleagues at the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)
Haiti Elections Primer, Part 2: Presidential Candidates and Their Parties
Read Part 1: Timeline of Key Events, here.
In a crowded field of 54 presidential candidates, the top two finishers in last year’s elections were Jovenel Moïse (PHTK) and Jude Celestin (LAPEH). Read More
Haiti Elections Primer
From our colleagues at Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR):
Haiti Election Primer, Part 1: Timeline of Key Events
Less than a week from now, on November 20, Haiti heads to the polls to choose a new president as well as dozens of legislative seats. The electoral process started in 2015 but has been repeatedly delayed and postponed due to post-election protests, candidates’ boycotts, and more recently Hurricane Matthew. Read More
RNDDH report on Hurricane Matthew
National Human Rights Defense Network, known as RNDDH in Kreyol, has just released a report with their on-the-ground assessment of the situation in Haiti post-hurricane.
Full report in English and French
RNDDH demands respect for humany dignity by the Haitian Government, Political Parties, and Humanitarian Agencies
Excerpts from the report:
Preparation and awareness of the population of the hurricane
According to information gathered by RNDDH, hurricane warnings were not disclosed in the same manner to communities and they were not made aware at the same time. Read More
HAWG organizations on Hurricane Matthew
Many members of HAWG have been working on the ground in Haiti for many years and will continue to do so, working side-by-side with Haitians putting their homes and communities back together post-hurricane. We encourage you to read about the work being done and our focus on local partnerships, then donate to these well-respected organizations. Read More
Haitian Refugees at risk of Deportation
Last week the Obama Administration noted a sharp change in policy regarding the treatment of Haitian migrants. Citing a surge in numbers of Haitians traveling from Brazil, through Central America and crossing at the US-Mexico border, ICE began to detain more Haitians after several years of granting exceptions due to humanitarian concerns post-earthquake. Read More