Event Summary
On October 30, 2025, Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) published an electoral draft decreed for public consultation and launched a Political Party Capacity Building Program. These steps are part of a planned transition to elected authorities by 7 February 2026, though the timeline remains uncertain due to gang violence, mass displacement, insecurity, constitutional crisis, and budget constraints. The draft decree marks an initial stage in the electoral process, with further steps including public input integration, final adoption, and official publication. While the text formally acknowledges civil society organizations (CSOs) as sources of proposals for polling station staff, it does not grant advisory or decision-making roles. Nor does it define accreditation, protection, or rights for election observers—limiting CSOs’ ability to monitor elections, a critical function in fragile transitions. Transparency provisions are weak, with minimal requirements for publishing reports or granting access to voting data. Consultation mechanisms before and after the vote are poorly defined, and CSOs lack formal channels to challenge CEP decisions or propose amendments. They are also excluded from electoral dispute bodies, reducing their influence in resolving conflicts. This framework offers limited space for CSOs, signaling persistent structural barriers to inclusive, credible elections. While public consultation creates advocacy opportunities, the absence of robust guarantees for participation and oversight undermines trust and constrains the enabling environment for civil society. Although the decree does not yet guarantee advisory or decision-making roles for CSOs, early engagement offers a rare chance to shape rules before they are finalized.