Pétion-Ville, November 10, 2025.- The Technical Commission for the Restructuring of the National Radio and Television of Haiti (RTNH) and the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) organized two days of public debate (Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November 2025) at the Hotel Montana around the Avant-Draft Electoral Decree. These exchanges, aimed at consolidating democracy and citizen participation, brought together the press, civil society, the university and interested citizens. Discussions focused on eligibility conditions and the structure of electoral litigation offices. The President of the CEP, Jacques Derosiers, stressed the scope of this 400 article text and highlighted three major innovative measures: the registration of voters, the 30% quota requirement for parties, and the inclusion of the Haitian diaspora as a voting member.
On the first day of the debates, Saturday 8 November, marked the beginning of a national reflection around the future legal framework of the Haitian elections. Key figures, including the President of the CEP, Jacques Derosiers, and the Executive Director of the Organisation of Citizens for a New Haiti (OCNH), Camille Occius, took part in the discussions.
Like Mr Derosiers, this process explicitly aims at « foster national, inclusive and constructive reflection on the country's future electoral framework, with a view to strengthening democracy and citizen participation ». Emphasis was placed on key issues for fair and transparent electoral contests, including eligibility criteria for candidates and the organization of electoral litigation offices at the municipal and departmental levels.
The President of the CEP confirmed the distribution of a copy of the preliminary draft decree, consisting of approximately 400 articles, to nearly 400 political parties and civil society organizations, and indicated that the CEP was already receiving their views. This text incorporates several flagship measures to modernize the Haitian electoral process:
- Elector Registration: This is an essential measure which will, for the first time, provide a precise and reliable idea of the country's electorate. This is crucial for the transparency and logistical planning of the elections;
- The 30% Quota Type: The decree introduces an obligation for political parties to present female candidates in order to validate their list, introducing a 30% quota. This measure aims at correcting under-representation of women and ensuring better parity in national political life;
- Participation of the Diaspora: For the first time, the preliminary draft provides for the participation of the Haitian diaspora as a voting member, thus recognizing the crucial role and contribution of Haitians living abroad in the political future of the country.
The second day of debates, Sunday, 9 November 2025, helped to consolidate the discussions and collect further contributions before the finalization of this fundamental text.
W.A.
