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:

elections
Elections and Democracy, Report

New report shows troubling weaknesses in electoral system

In the week of President-elect Jovenel Moïse’s recent inauguration, a new report by international legal observers argues that Haiti’s democratic institutions are suffering a profound crisis of confidence. Low turnout, voter disenfranchisement and lingering concerns about fraud raise troubling questions about the breadth of the incoming president’s mandate, according to the report, entitled Haiti’s Unrepresentative Democracy: Disenfranchisement and Disillusionment in the November 20 Elections. Read More

Elections and Democracy

Haiti Inaugurates President amid controversy

Jovenel Moïse was recently inaugurated as Haiti’s new president as the country returned to constitutional order following a one-year extra-constitutional period of interim rule due to electoral delays.  Moïse had previously come in first in an October 2015 election, only to have the results thrown out due to fraud. Rerun in November 2016 under the interim government that replaced former president Michel Martelly, the elections had Moïse securing more than 50 percent of the vote, winning in the first round. Read More

Elections and Democracy

Election 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 and Democracy

Elections Part V: The International Community

From the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)

Read More
Elections and Democracy

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

Elections and Democracy

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

Elections and Democracy

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

Aid Accountability and Transparency, Cholera Epidemic, Elections and Democracy

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