Elections in Haiti: CEP Imposes 30,000 Members on Parties, Debate Heats Up

The draft electoral decree submitted by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) to the executive continues to draw mixed reactions. At the heart of the debate: Article 139, which requires political parties and groupings to present a list of at least 30,000 members, adherents, or sympathizers in order to participate in the upcoming elections.

These individuals, the text specifies, must be in good standing with their civil and political rights. A provision seen by part of public opinion as a laudable initiative aimed at cleaning up the political system and strengthening the credibility of existing organizations.

For its supporters, this measure will help limit the proliferation of "suitcase parties," those structures without real social backing. Control mechanisms are planned to verify the authenticity of the lists and avoid irregularities related to national identification numbers (NINU).

But several political actors see it, on the contrary, as a risk of exclusion. Small organizations, already fragile, may not be able to meet this requirement, despite the announced safeguards. The debate remains heated as the executive has not yet published the decree.