Haiti: The 2025 Referendum Decree Published in Le Moniteur, Heading Towards a New Era

Awaited for several weeks, the decree organizing the constitutional referendum was officially published in Le Moniteur, special issue dated Thursday, July 3, following its signing on June 24 by the Council of Ministers. This step marks a major advance in the institutional refoundation process led by the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT). This fundamental text, spanning about fifteen pages, signed by the nine members of the CPT – Régine Abraham, Smith Augustin, Louis Gérald Gilles, Fritz Alphonse Jean, Frinel Joseph, Edgard Leblanc Fils, Laurent Saint-Cyr, Emmanuel Vertilaire, and Leslie Voltaire – outlines the main directives for the popular consultation. It draws upon historical references, from the Act of Independence of 1804 to recent texts concerning decentralization and national identification, reflecting a desire for republican continuity and thoughtful rupture. Structured and Accessible Organization Voted on June 24, the decree specifies the procedures for organizing the ballot. In accordance with Article 7, « the electorate […] is convened at the request of the CEP, by presidential decree setting the purpose, locations, and date of the consultation ». This provision guarantees a strict institutional framework for calling voters to the polls. It is stipulated that there will be at least two polling centers per communal section, the list of which must be made public at least 15 days before the election date. Citizens will be able to vote between 6 AM and 4 PM, by presenting a valid identification document: national identification card, passport, or certificate issued by the ONI. Facilities are also planned for people with reduced mobility. Strict Criteria for Polling Station Members The reliability of the ballot relies on qualified agents. Article 23 of the decree requires that every polling station member be Haitian, at least 20 years old, in possession of their civil and political rights, hold a valid identification document, and possess at least a high school diploma. The objective is clear: to guarantee competence and impartiality. Referendum Campaign: Deterrent Sanctions The decree also firmly regulates the campaign period. Article 89 prohibits the use of public or private walls for unauthorized postings, under penalty of a fine of 10,000 to 25,000 gourdes. Article 90 goes further: anyone destroying propaganda material faces a fine of 25,000 to 150,000 gourdes and a prison sentence of 10 to 20 days. Public Order and Specific Prohibitions To prevent any disturbance to public order, Article 91 prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages in public places from 6 PM on the eve of the vote until 6 AM the following day. Offenders face fines of up to 20,000 gourdes and 25 days in prison. Primacy and Implementation Article 124 repeals any previous provision contrary to the decree. Its implementation is entrusted to several ministries – Justice, Interior, Foreign Affairs, Economy – and to the electoral administration, each within its sphere of competence. The CEP, guarantor of the regularity of the ballot, is responsible for its execution. With this publication, the Transitional Presidential Council reaches a decisive milestone in its mandate. The upcoming referendum is poised to be a historic consultation, capable of reshaping the contours of the Haitian state for future generations. Furthermore, many are doubtful about the effective realization of the referendum process. On one hand, there is a lack of knowledge or understanding of the texts; on the other, insecurity offers no conducive climate for organizing a large-scale activity. With people constantly displaced in the streets, areas taken over, and others heading towards the abyss, one wonders how the authorities plan to proceed. What coverage? What participation is expected? Will the deliberations of the process reflect the popular participation of millions of Haitians? The voter list and then the results will allow us to shed light on our areas of doubt. The Editorial Staff