Election

Mirlande Manigat has made the decision not to run for President for a second time.

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Here is a picture of Senator Steven Benoit who is currently considering a run for President of Haiti

Senator Steven Benoit: No Decision Yet on Running for President

Several political parties in Haiti are urging Senator Benoit to run for the 2016 presidency. A popular candidate in 2010 for the senate, he won more votes than Martelly.

Benoit wants to run, but needs to decide what political party he will represent. However, he fears the political positions he has taken will not endear him to voters this time. He is also critical of the international community's funding and organizing of elections.

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As the time for candidates who are interested in participating in the next election in Haiti is getting close, the name of the candidates have been coming out. We learned that Simon Dieuseul Desras is interested in becoming candidate for President in Haiti election 2015

The former President of the National Assembly (2012--15) and the former Senator Simon Dieuseul Desras, has announced himself as the most suitable candidate for the next Presidential election. His term as a Senator expired on January 12, 2015 but he was reinstated to his post by a court decision (Feb 6, 2015) which said his mandate was for 6 years instead of 4 years, so he would be in the Senate until 2017. However, his victory was a slightly hollow one, as the power of the senate was dissolved on January 12, 2015. Dieuseul Desra was an ally of Michel Martelly in the last presidential elections. He has said that he may seek the nomination of the Verite Political Party of former President Rene Preval, but that is yet to be finalized, because he is not sure which political banner he will ultimately carry.

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Here is a picture describing the involvement of the international community in Haiti Election

Although, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) is working actively, but it is yet to announce the exact election budget. However, Pierre-Louis Opont, the President of the CEP is of opinion that it could be somewhere between $50 to $60 million-- the most expensive election ever made in Haiti. The CEP has identified the fund needed and it is up to the Haitian State to decide and make necessary arrangement for the same. The Electoral Council is not empowered to determine the cost of the election. However, Pierre-Louis Opont believes that the government should make the decided amount public in the coming days. As per the statement of Sophie de Caen, the Nouvelliste UNDP director in Haiti, the commitment of international donors for the realization of election is little more than $38 million. At the moment 37.9 million dollars have already been confirmed in the following manner: Haitian government $13.8 million, European Union $6.8 million, U.S $6.5 million, Canada $5.3 million, Japan $4.5 million and Brazil $1.00 million. Whatever is the final amount, as per the agreement with the Haitian State, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) would manage the fund.

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The candidates for OPL primary include: Francois Anick Joseph, Sauveur Pierre Etienne, Edgard Leblanc Fils,Francisco Delacruz

On Friday, March 28, 2015, the Organization of People in the Struggle (OPL, Organisation du Peuple en Lutte) has submitted four names as nominations for the President of the Republic of Haiti (POH). These four registrants are: present Senators Francois Anick Joseph and Francesco Delacruz, Party Coordinator, Professor Sauveur Pierre Etienne, and former coordinator Edgard Leblanc Fils. Neither of the primary candidates have disclosed their visions publicly, but it is expected that that will remain consistent with the policy line of the OPL as the party dubs itself as "the most organized among the political parties in Haiti". Recently, on an FM radio interview, Sauveur Pierre Etienne has said that this is the first time ever in the history of Haiti that a political party will hold primaries for a presidential election.

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Voters must register by May 10th at Register of Electors

Provisional Electoral Council has notified the populace the Register of Electors will close on May 11, 2015 in compliance with Electoral Decree Article 32. Ninety days later balloting for legislative and local elections will happen August 9th, followed by the presidential election on October 25th.

CEP encourages people to get their National Identification Cards (NICs) by May 10th. The Council of Ministers has extended use of NICs until December 21, 2017 so more citizens may participate.

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The election process for 2015 has started. Haiti Election dates, August 9 Senate, October 25 for Deputies and President.

The Haitian Electoral Council has made public the dates for legislative and local elections and the presidency also. Balloting for senate and lower chamber seats will occur on August 9th. Elections for the presidency and city and local elections will happen on October 25th. Political parties who want to run their candidates need to register for the electoral list by May 9th.

Currently President Martelly is ruling by decree as Parliament folded January 15th.

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Here is a picture where Prime Minister Evans Paul gave the Electoral Decree to the CEP to organize the next Haiti election

On Mar 4, 2015, the Haitian Prime Minister, Evans Paul accompanied by Minister of Justice and Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister for electoral matters, went to the headquarters of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) and there he symbolically delivered a copy of the official newspaper "Le Moniteur" which has published two decrees relating to the holding of the long delayed election during 2015. The first decree relates to the administration process of the election and second decree is about the amendment of National Identification (CIN) dated June 1, 2005, which states that the validity of National Identification Cards (CIN) issued over the years 2005, 2006 and 2007, would be extended till 31 December 2017 instead of 2015. He has also stated that the government is determined to hold this election within 2015, overcoming every obstacle for lack of legal framework. The executives and the stakeholders have made considerable effort to prepare this consensus decree in 244 articles divided into 18 chapters and has a total of 382 provisions.

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New CEP Officers Elected by Membership

Prime Minister Evans Paul swore in nine new members of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), and they went to work, holding their first session.

Moster Georges has been appointed Executive Director of the Council. The presidency went to Pierre-Louis Opont; secretary to Vijonet Demero; and treasurer to Ricardo Augustine.

CEP is responsible for organizing free and fair elections and it will according to Paul ". . . create conditions conducive to the holding of elections."

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Here is the picture of the installation of 9 members of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP).

New Provisional Electoral Council getting ready to organize Elections

Prime Minister Evans Paul installed the Provisional Electoral Council's (CEP) nine new members at a swearing-in ceremony. Senior government officials, diplomats, and public-private sector representatives were present.

Evans said the government is asking for a stoppage of violent protesting so it could hold elections and prepare the way for the CEP to organize them.

The Martelly-Paul government will work for public administration modernization, government decentralization, and improvement of living standards for the people.

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