Haitian government accused of trying to tighten control over elections through controversial decree changes

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haiti’s transitional government is facing growing criticism over proposed changes to the country’s electoral decree that opponents say could give the executive branch greater control over the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) ahead of long-delayed elections promised for 2026. 

 Over the past weekend, leaders of political parties and civil society groups, along with lawyers, condemned several modifications made by the administration of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé to the amended draft decree that the CEP had initially submitted for publication. Critics argue the changes threaten the independence of the electoral body and could further undermine confidence in a political process already weakened by years of instability and insecurity. 

Among the most contested changes is the replacement of the CEP’s executive director position with a new Director General role, to be appointed by the Council of Ministers rather than selected by the electoral councilors. 

“Such a provision raises serious concerns about the independence, balance, and credibility of the electoral process,” former Prime Minister Claude Joseph wrote on X. “This draft decree unfortunately confirms that Alix Didier Fils-Aimé does not appear to have any real willingness to organize free, fair and democratic elections in the country.” 

Opposition figures say the measure would allow the executive branch to exert direct influence over the electoral machinery while reducing the authority of the CEP’s nine councilors, who represent different sectors of society under the Constitution.

Under the draft decree circulating since May 22, the Director General would oversee the CEP’s administration, personnel, finances and decentralized structures. The office would also coordinate election preparation, vote tabulation and publication of results.

The proposed changes have fueled fears that the executive branch could exert decisive influence over the electoral process.

Sterline Civil, former director of Haiti’s National Education Fund (FNE) and leader of a youth movement, argued the draft decree creates an “autonomous” CEP in appearance while placing real authority in the hands of a government-appointed official.

“The results chain goes through a Tabulation Center placed under the authority of that same Director General, giving the executive decisive leverage over the compilation and transmission of results,” Civil wrote Sunday on X.

Government-appointed director and stricter eligibility requirements for candidates

Current CEP Executive Director Uder Antoine was appointed directly by the electoral councilors in April. But if the draft decree is adopted, the CEP won’t have that privilege anymore. Under Haiti’s administrative structure, a Director General must be appointed by executive action, thereby increasing government oversight of the institution’s technical leadership.

Lawyer André Michel, a member of the December 21 Political Accord that helped shape the current transition, accused the government of attempting to weaken the electoral process. Michel said he is not convinced that the current government, led by PM Fils-Aimé, wants to organize the elections.

“Clearly, the government does not want to hold elections in 2026,” Michel wrote on X. “The government has completely distorted the CEP’s text with the sole objective of making the organization of the 2026 elections more complex and ultimately impossible.”

Another controversial provision raises the number of members or affiliates required for a political party to field candidates from 30,000 — initially proposed by the CEP — to 100,000.

Independent candidates would also face stricter requirements. Under Article 153 of the draft decree, presidential hopefuls would need 150,000 supporter signatures, while Senate candidates would need 25,000 and Chamber of Deputies candidates 5,000.

Critics say the new thresholds disproportionately favor large political organizations and could exclude smaller parties and independent voices from the process.

The Collective of Online Media (CMEL) also criticized the proposed changes in a statement released Monday, arguing they threaten the CEP’s independence and place elections under the “direct and absolute control” of transitional authorities.

CMEL’s secretary general, Dieudonné St-Cyr, described the decree as “a political maneuver intended to strip the CEP of its substance and neutralize its decision-making power.”

Critics say some provisions could be used selectively

The government’s revised version of the decree also broadens candidate disqualification criteria. While the CEP’s original proposal barred individuals sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council, the new text extends restrictions to people under administrative investigation in Haiti.

According to Article 18, candidates would be ineligible if they are under an arrest warrant, police search notice, administrative sanctions or judicial investigation. The decree also bars individuals accused of kidnapping, corruption, sexual violence or crimes against public order.

Opponents warn such provisions could be used selectively to sideline political adversaries without court convictions.

“Even during the campaign, if you are not ‘well regarded’ by the government, a simple search notice or arrest warrant can be issued against you to remove you from the race, without a final court ruling,” Civil said.

“With such a framework, the message is clear: we are not preparing open elections, we are preparing a political filter,” she added.

The government has not publicly responded to the criticism.

The dispute unfolds as Haiti’s electoral process remains stalled by insecurity, logistical uncertainty and a lack of public trust. No finalized electoral calendar or budget has yet been released, while armed groups continue expanding their territorial control despite repeated security operations by the Haitian National Police and international support forces.

According to U.N. agencies in Haiti, gangs now control around 90% of Port-au-Prince, contributing to mass displacement, economic paralysis and growing concerns over whether elections can realistically be held under current conditions.

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