Haiti’s executive branch has adopted a new decree that modifies the mandate of the Provisional Electoral Council of Haiti, a move that could lead to changes in the country’s electoral timetable and related legal framework.
The decree, approved during a cabinet meeting on March 20, instructs the council to implement Articles 12 and 14 of the National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections. These provisions address limited amendments to Haiti’s core legal framework and their ratification by popular vote during the first round of elections.
According to a source within the electoral council, the decision will likely affect several elements of the electoral process, including the electoral calendar, the electoral decree, and the operational budget.
“The council will need to work on a new electoral decree. The calendar will also be modified,” the source said, adding that it remains unclear whether voter registration will begin on April 1, 2026, as originally planned.
The development introduces new uncertainty regarding the timeline for organizing long-awaited elections in Haiti.
During the recent transfer of authority from the Presidential Transitional Council to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, the United States had expressed readiness to work with the Haitian government on stabilizing the country and organizing general elections, without specifically mentioning constitutional reform.
Regarding potential constitutional revisions, the source within the electoral council clarified that the institution would not participate in drafting any new constitutional text. Instead, its role would be limited to allowing the population to vote on proposed changes.
Meanwhile, preparations for the electoral process continue. The electoral council is expected to publish the official list of political parties eligible to participate in the upcoming elections on March 26. Around 320 political parties registered two weeks earlier and are currently undergoing verification through the database of Haiti’s Ministry of Justice.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé chaired a meeting focused on the proposed budget for organizing the 2026 general elections. The session brought together members of the government, the electoral council, and several international partners.
Among those present were Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the UN Secretary-General’s representative in Haiti, as well as representatives from the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Office for Project Services, and the Organization of American States.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, the meeting reflects the authorities’ determination to organize free, inclusive, credible, and transparent elections in 2026 while restoring constitutional order in the country.
