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May 30, 2016 - A Verification Commission headed by Pierre Francois Benoit reported that the elections conducted on October 25, 2015 was characterized by significant fraud and professional misconduct. "After digging into it, we started seeing a pattern where a lot of votes could not be traced to a voter or to a group of voters. I call them "zombie votes"

On the evening of May 30th, 2016, Haiti's Independent Commission of Electoral Evaluation and Verification (CIEVE), a five-member team led by a businessman, Francois Benoit, who is a former ambassador to the U.S, released its long-awaited report on the controversial Washington-supported Haitian elections of August 9 and October 25, 2015. The audited report of the five member panel reveals that "the electoral process was marred by serious irregularities, grave inconsistencies, and massive fraud, because only 9% of the total vote cast has been found to be valid." The members of the CIEVE have reviewed 3,235 voter tallies (procès verbal), i.e., a 25% random sample of 12,939 total votes cast.

Their concern includes the complete lack of female officials elected. However, as per the Commission, at least one woman Nétlande Pierre Dérius of the Artibonite did indeed win by popular vote and her case along with 21 other legislature contestants should be remanded to a special electoral court for reinstatement.

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All the preparation in place to start the voting process for the election season in Haiti in 2015. The Ballots to be used in the August 9, 2015 vote in Haiti to elect 118 Deputies and two thirds of the Senate just arrived in Airport Toussaint Louverture in Port-au-Prince from Dubai.

On Sunday, June 21, 2015, a delegation of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) composed of President Pierre Louis Opont, Secretary Ricardo Augustine, and the Director of the Electoral Register Philippe Augustin flew to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on a seven day inspection visit. They visited the firm responsible for printing the ballots for the upcoming parliamentary elections. The name of the firm responsible for printing was not disclosed; it was selected following an international tender decided by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which manages the budget of the elections. The ballots have been delivered at the capital city airport before the August 9 election. 12.8 million ballots were required for the first round of the vote for 1508 voting centers and 13,725 polling centers.

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Here is a picture of both President Michel Martelly and First Lady Sophia Martelly doing their civic duty by voting in the election of August 9, 2015. By the way, this is the same election where the election authorities had declared that Mrs. Sophia Martelly couldn't run because she was not a citizen of Haiti. She was born in the United States and according to the CEP, she never renounced her American citizenship

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Here is a picture of the Identification cards required in the 2010 Haiti election. Most of the people were not able to receive their cards on time for the November 28 election and consequently, they were unable to participate in the election

Many of the candidates and their representatives questioned whether this election will be fair. Many think it is a deliberate action from the current government to create confusion.

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Haiti Election 2011. Here is a picture of several Haitian citizens performing the civic duty to vote in the 2011 election in Haiti. In general, election in Haiti are often unfold with many violence.

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Haiti Election 2011

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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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These elections are of fundamental importance for Haiti according to the United Nations mission in Haiti as they welcomed calendar for elections

UN Stabilization Mission greeted with elation an official calendar for elections later this year. The UN and the international community are teaming with the Electoral Council to organize fair, inclusive, and transparent elections. When Haitians vote they will help to install the 50th session of Parliament and a new president in early 2016.

The UN Mission in Haiti is tasked with giving logistical and technical support to the government in order to facilitate the rule of law nationally and locally.

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Political operative Nacivre Charles, better known as "Charlie," is under fire and under investigation by the State Attorney's Office.

Some how, this investigation is involving current Mayor of North Miami Mayor Lucie Tondreau. According to the report, Nacivre Charles was Lucie Tondreau campaign treasurer earlier this year.

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Haiti Lower House of Deputies voted unanimously to approve Prime Minister designee Dr. Garry Conille. Now that Haiti parliament has voted, what's next. The Haitian Senate will have to vote on the candidacy of Dr. Garry Conille and approve him as well in order to become the Prime Minister.

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