Haitian Authorities Redouble Efforts for Elections

By Gesly Sinvilier For several years, Haiti has been grappling with an unprecedented democratic and institutional crisis. Given this situation, and to re-establish genuine democratic order, the organization of elections remains the only alternative capable of conferring popular legitimacy on future leaders, both at the level of local authorities and central state powers. From this perspective, the main mission of the current transitional authorities remains the creation of a secure climate and a favorable framework for organizing elections. This Monday, the Citizen Protector, Me Jean Wilner Morin, visited the CEP. This meeting focused on respecting the right to vote and citizen participation in the referendum and electoral process. The OPC delegation wished to inquire about the progress of the process, while ensuring respect for the rights of every citizen at all stages. The OPC announced its intention to organize consultation workshops around the preliminary draft of the new Constitution. Last week, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé had not been idle. He conducted a technical visit to the storage center for electoral equipment, both sensitive and non-sensitive materials. Tablets intended for the registration of future voters are already ready. Other devices are also available; ready to be deployed across the national territory. In a statement published on social media, the Prime Minister's Office reaffirmed the government's desire to restore institutional and democratic order, while guaranteeing a transparent, credible, and inclusive electoral process. According to Haitian authorities, there is a clear will to proceed with holding the referendum and organizing elections this year to renew the country's political and institutional personnel. While some signs seem to point in this direction, legitimate questions remain: how can this event be envisioned
in such a serious security crisis context? Gesly Sinvilier.