PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haiti’s newly published electoral decree has drawn strong reactions at home and abroad, highlighting divisions over the country’s delayed return to democratic governance.
International partners, including the United States and the Organization of American States (OAS), welcomed the decree —adopted during a Dec. 2 Council of Ministers meeting—as a necessary step to restart Haiti’s democratic process after more than four years without elections. But many Haitian political actors, civil society leaders and youth groups criticized both the adoption process and the government’s ability to carry out elections amid extreme insecurity.
The decree, published Wednesday, Dec. 4, lays out the rules governing presidential, legislative and local elections, with first rounds tentatively scheduled for August 2026.
The U.S. State Department was the first to welcome the move publicly. In a Dec. 2 statement, Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the decree “marks an important step toward restoring security and political stability” and toward honoring Haitians’ right to choose their leaders.
“We encourage all stakeholders to work constructively toward the holding of elections,” Pigott said, adding that Washington remains committed to working with international partners to support Haiti’s path forward.
OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin also praised the publication during a two-day visit to Haiti, where Presidential Transitional Council President Laurent Saint-Cyr briefed him. Ramdin emphasized that elections are essential to advancing the transitional process and said the OAS stands ready to support the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) once the electoral calendar is finalized.
“I emphasized the need for Haitian leadership that demonstrates unity and effectiveness,” Ramdin said.
“The electoral authority considers OAS a reliable partner to support the entire process.”
Critics say decree is unrealistic
While international actors framed the decree as an encouraging milestone and urged unity, Haitian observers overwhelmingly pointed to the country’s deteriorating security as the primary barrier to credible elections.
The United Nations estimates that gangs control more than 90% of Port-au-Prince and the Artibonite region—home to one of the largest voter populations. Dozens of polling stations are inaccessible, and more than 1.4 million people are internally displaced.
“We encourage all stakeholders to work constructively toward the holding of elections. We look forward to continuing coordination with international partners to support the way forward for Haiti.”
Tommy Pigott, U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson
Despite being 100 days into his tenure, Police Chief Vladimir Paraïson has not reclaimed territory or apprehended major gang leaders, fueling doubts about the state’s capacity to secure an electoral process.
“The publication of the decree triggers the electoral process, but it would be inaccurate to say elections can be held under current conditions,” said Myrlande Paraison, general coordinator of Solidarité Pou Retounen Lakay (SORELAK). “The outcome depends on political actors agreeing so the country can return to stability.”
Former Prime Minister Claude Joseph sharply criticized the decree’s adoption, noting that three members of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) were absent and arguing that the qualified majority required was not met.
“The way this decree was adopted resembles a forceful maneuver,” Joseph said. “If you force your way to pass a decree, you will do the same to get your candidates elected.”
Youth sector organizations also rejected the decree. The Federation of Youth Organizations (FOJ) said no elections should occur without restored security and called for the government to transfer authority to a judge of the Court of Cassation to oversee the process.
“The CPT has shown no willingness to restore security,” said FOJ spokesperson Colson Anglade. “We must establish an executive capable of addressing the country’s real problems and reclaiming sovereignty.”
A symbolic step forward, but little certainty
The decree provides the legal foundation for Haiti’s electoral machinery to move again, and its publication is widely viewed as symbolically important in the country’s stalled transition. The CEP says it will release the electoral calendar in the coming days.
Still, even those cautiously optimistic acknowledge that without security and political consensus, the timeline is far from guaranteed.
“Will the elections actually take place? No one knows,” said SORELAK’s Paraison. “But the process has officially begun. If all actors make the necessary effort, Haiti could move toward stability.”
For now, the decree stands as both a sign of progress and a stark reminder of the immense challenges that remain.
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