Haiti Schedules First National Elections in Decade for December

The Provisional Electoral Council of Haiti announced a new electoral calendar on July 28, scheduling the country's first presidential and legislative elections in a decade for December 13, 2026. This timeline replaces a previous August 30 plan that Acting Interim Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime suspended due to escalating gang violence. The process includes a popular vote on constitutional reforms, with a runoff and local elections set for February 21, 2027, and final results expected by March 7.

The council has approved over 300 political parties to compete, with registration remaining open until October 2. However, officials warned that the schedule depends on the availability of an estimated $120 million budget and the establishment of an acceptable security climate. Currently, the Viv Ansanm gang alliance controls between 85% and 90% of Port-au-Prince, severely hindering access to voting centers.

To stabilize the environment, a UN-authorized Gang Suppression Force is working to increase its personnel to 5,500. This international effort coincides with warnings from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding the desperate humanitarian situation in the country. The Caribbean Community has also urged the rapid deployment of these forces to ensure the viability of the electoral process.