Haiti’s electoral council revises $250M budget after government pushback

PORT-AU-PRINCE — The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) announced that it has submitted a revised electoral budget to the Haitian government, following criticism from Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and political parties that signed the National Pact over the $250 million initially proposed for organizing the elections.

As announced, the CEP complied on April 28 with the prime minister’s demands, after he described the initial $250 million budget submitted by the council as “absurd and unacceptable.” The head of government made it clear that he would not approve such funding to organize elections for a population of 12 million.

According to the CEP, this new budget—whose amount has not been disclosed—results from consultations carried out by a commission composed of council officials, as well as representatives from the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). 

Meanwhile, local media reports that the electoral budget has been revised downward, dropping from $250 million to $190 million. This adjustment aims to align financial resources with the evolving realities of the process. 

Critics describe the proposed budget as “excessive” and argue that the 2016 elections cost the country $50 million and that it is unrealistic for elections planned after a 10-year gap to cost four times that amount. At this time, the CEP is defending the proposal, stating that comparisons with 2016 are misleading.

CEP officials explained that those elections were partial and relied heavily on existing infrastructure and support from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). It also pointed to increased costs linked to inflation, logistics, and security requirements.

According to the CEP statement, the revised budget reflects the various technical and operational options considered for organizing the vote in a context marked by insecurity and travel constraints across the country. Despite these constraints, the electoral body says it reaffirms its commitment to conducting the electoral process in an inclusive, impartial, independent, and transparent manner.

This step follows the April 24 submission of the revised draft electoral decree to the executive branch. The draft aligns with provisions of the National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections and reflects amendments to the Dec. 1, 2025, decree.

The National Pact, signed by more than 100 political parties, recognizes the prime minister as the sole head of the executive branch, backing the current interim government. Articles 12–14 authorize the CEP to oversee the constitutional amendment process through a referendum at the parties’ request.

This project to amend the 1987 Constitution was initially abandoned by the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) in October 2025, after it dissolved the Steering Committee for the National Conference and Constitutional Referendum. The move followed criticism over its illegality, lack of legitimacy, misuse of public funds, and failure to address urgent national priorities such as security, humanitarian aid, healthcare, and elections.

The CEP said it is revising the electoral calendar and expects to publish it soon to relaunch the suspended electoral process.

After registering political parties — 282 of which were approved to participate in the upcoming elections — the CEP had planned to begin voter and candidate registration in April.

Officials prioritized aligning the electoral decree with the National Pact. However, political parties have strongly criticized the move, coming just five months before the Aug. 30, 2026, first round of elections.

These political groups explained on April 20 that respecting the 2026 electoral deadlines and the Feb.  7, 2027 milestones requires active consultation among the pact signatories, the current authorities, and the electoral institution.

“It is urgent to consider, in a consensual manner, administrative corrective measures capable of revitalizing the electoral process,” said a statement signed by more than 15 political parties.

The government authorities have not yet commented on the revised budget. The country is awaiting the other announced electoral calendar to determine the next steps, in order to enable the population to choose its new leaders through the elections.

Meanwhile, the main challenge to overcome, and the most pressing concern for the elections, remains security. In the West, particularly in the capital, the threat is evident, with more than 90% of the territory occupied by gangs. In the Artibonite, which also has a large electorate, several communes are held hostage by armed groups.

“It’s not just about elections—nothing is possible in the country amid such insecurity, and the government must do what is necessary if it wants to provide the country with elected leaders,” said Nicolas Volcy, a graduate student in sociology.

“Today, the only priorities should be security and elections. Any attempt to delay them must be firmly condemned and denounced, because the people can no longer wait.”

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