by the Center
for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)
for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR)
Last week, in a
conversation with Haitian journalists in Washington, D.C., Thomas Adams, the
Haiti special coordinator at the State Department, said the U.S. would be in
favor of Haiti holding two elections this year instead of the planned three.
The electoral timetable announced in March by the Provisional Electoral Council
(CEP) called for the first round of legislative elections to be held Aug. 9,
followed by a first-round presidential election and second round of legislative
elections on Oct. 25. Finally, the second round of the presidential election
and local elections would be held in late December.
conversation with Haitian journalists in Washington, D.C., Thomas Adams, the
Haiti special coordinator at the State Department, said the U.S. would be in
favor of Haiti holding two elections this year instead of the planned three.
The electoral timetable announced in March by the Provisional Electoral Council
(CEP) called for the first round of legislative elections to be held Aug. 9,
followed by a first-round presidential election and second round of legislative
elections on Oct. 25. Finally, the second round of the presidential election
and local elections would be held in late December.
In an interview this past weekend with
Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald,
Adams explained: “there’s some discussion about going to two rounds of
elections instead of three. The pros and cons of that, I think they’ll decide
fairly soon whether they want to do that. That would give a little more time to
the CEP and it would also save some money if they want to go that route. That
is an option.”
Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald,
Adams explained: “there’s some discussion about going to two rounds of
elections instead of three. The pros and cons of that, I think they’ll decide
fairly soon whether they want to do that. That would give a little more time to
the CEP and it would also save some money if they want to go that route. That
is an option.”
Moving the first round of the
legislative election to the same day as the presidential election would save an
estimated $30 million, according to Adams. But while the proposed changes have
some support from political parties in Haiti, the CEP has remained steadfast
that it is determined to follow the electoral calendar that was announced.
legislative election to the same day as the presidential election would save an
estimated $30 million, according to Adams. But while the proposed changes have
some support from political parties in Haiti, the CEP has remained steadfast
that it is determined to follow the electoral calendar that was announced.
According to Alterpresse, Alix
Richard, the vice president of the FUSION party commented that the party had
“always sought the election in two stages,” and recommended a discussion
between the executive, the CEP, and political parties to reach a decision. Both
the Patriotic Movement of the Dessalinien Opposition (MOPOD) – the party of
former presidential candidate Mirlande Manigat – and the Organization of People
in Struggle (OPL) refused to comment directly on the proposal, saying that they
were ready for elections at any time. However Pierre Saveur Étienne, director
of OPL, criticized the manner in which Adam’s comments were received. He said
that his recommendations would have been better served going through diplomatic
channels as opposed to a public statement to the press.
Richard, the vice president of the FUSION party commented that the party had
“always sought the election in two stages,” and recommended a discussion
between the executive, the CEP, and political parties to reach a decision. Both
the Patriotic Movement of the Dessalinien Opposition (MOPOD) – the party of
former presidential candidate Mirlande Manigat – and the Organization of People
in Struggle (OPL) refused to comment directly on the proposal, saying that they
were ready for elections at any time. However Pierre Saveur Étienne, director
of OPL, criticized the manner in which Adam’s comments were received. He said
that his recommendations would have been better served going through diplomatic
channels as opposed to a public statement to the press.
Moïse Jean-Charles, of the
opposition platform Pitit Dessalines, came out in favor of the reduction to two
elections. Jean-Charles also noted that the change would save the CEP millions
of dollars – the electoral body is currently facing a funding shortfall to the
tune of over $20 million. Donor countries, including the U.S., have stated that
they are ready to provide additional financing but are waiting for steps to be
taken by the Haitian government and electoral council before any disbursements
are made.
opposition platform Pitit Dessalines, came out in favor of the reduction to two
elections. Jean-Charles also noted that the change would save the CEP millions
of dollars – the electoral body is currently facing a funding shortfall to the
tune of over $20 million. Donor countries, including the U.S., have stated that
they are ready to provide additional financing but are waiting for steps to be
taken by the Haitian government and electoral council before any disbursements
are made.
Jean-Charles also noted that holding
three rounds of elections would be particularly costly for political parties,
putting those close to the government and with access to funding in a stronger
position. This echoes comments from political leaders made after the electoral
calendar was first announced. Fanmi Lavalas presidential candidate Maryse
Narcisse, told Le Nouvelliste in
February that no political party can handle “the social and material costs of
several elections in one year,” while Pierre-Etienne of OPL suggested that
having three elections could be a strategy for “bankrupting” the opposition.
three rounds of elections would be particularly costly for political parties,
putting those close to the government and with access to funding in a stronger
position. This echoes comments from political leaders made after the electoral
calendar was first announced. Fanmi Lavalas presidential candidate Maryse
Narcisse, told Le Nouvelliste in
February that no political party can handle “the social and material costs of
several elections in one year,” while Pierre-Etienne of OPL suggested that
having three elections could be a strategy for “bankrupting” the opposition.
In comments to Le Nouvelliste, CEP member Marie Carmelle Paul Austin was adamant
that the original electoral timetable would be followed. “We do not have to
change the electoral calendar. It was adopted on the basis of consensus with
the political parties and the executive,” she told the paper. Paul Austin also
discredited the idea that consolidating the elections would save $30 million,
pointing to the rising electoral costs in previous years and to the fact that
this year there are elections for president, the legislature, and local
leaders.
that the original electoral timetable would be followed. “We do not have to
change the electoral calendar. It was adopted on the basis of consensus with
the political parties and the executive,” she told the paper. Paul Austin also
discredited the idea that consolidating the elections would save $30 million,
pointing to the rising electoral costs in previous years and to the fact that
this year there are elections for president, the legislature, and local
leaders.
The Club of Madrid, a grouping of
former presidents from around the world, visited the country from May 24-26 and
at the end of their visit voiced support for sticking to the electoral
timetable. While noting that it was up to Haitians to organize the elections,
former Chilean president Sebastian Piñera told the press: “All politicians told
us that elections would be held on the 9th of August,” adding, “I believe there
is no reason not to have the elections in August.”
former presidents from around the world, visited the country from May 24-26 and
at the end of their visit voiced support for sticking to the electoral
timetable. While noting that it was up to Haitians to organize the elections,
former Chilean president Sebastian Piñera told the press: “All politicians told
us that elections would be held on the 9th of August,” adding, “I believe there
is no reason not to have the elections in August.”
[Haïti
Liberté note: As we go to press, the Departmental Office for Electoral
Challenges (BCED) is expected to issue its decision on Jun. 3 as to which of 29
contested presidential candidates it is disqualifying. However, candidates can
appeal the BCED’s ruling to the National Office for Electoral Challenges
(BCEN). A total of 70 candidates have registered to run for president.]
Liberté note: As we go to press, the Departmental Office for Electoral
Challenges (BCED) is expected to issue its decision on Jun. 3 as to which of 29
contested presidential candidates it is disqualifying. However, candidates can
appeal the BCED’s ruling to the National Office for Electoral Challenges
(BCEN). A total of 70 candidates have registered to run for president.]
