Haiti establishes electoral council for first elections since 2016

Haiti's government has established a provisional electoral council, marking a significant step towards organizing general elections for the first time since 2016. This council, confirmed by Smith Augustin of the transitional presidential council, currently consists of seven members, with two more yet to be appointed. It includes representatives from various sectors, such as farmers, journalists, human rights activists, and the Vodou community, and is responsible for creating the legal framework for the elections. The previous electoral council was dissolved in September 2021 by former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who cited partisanship as the reason. This dissolution delayed elections that were scheduled for November 2021, leading to accusations against Henry of attempting to maintain power. Since the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, Haiti has been without a president, and the political landscape has been unstable. Henry's tenure was marked by promises to hold elections, but he often blamed escalating gang violence for the inability to do so. The situation worsened when gangs took control of 80% of Port-au-Prince, launching attacks on government infrastructure, which ultimately contributed to Henry's resignation. In response to the political vacuum, a transitional presidential council was formed, with a mandate to conduct presidential elections by February 2026. The establishment of the electoral council is seen as a crucial move to restore democratic processes in Haiti and address the ongoing political crisis.