Haiti’s electoral council in early July officially opened the campaign season ahead of the long-delayed legislative election scheduled for Aug. 9. Earlier decisions by the Provisional Electoral Council eliminating a number of candidates were controversial, and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has proposed a number of bills that would tie U.S. aid to Haiti to free and fair elections. How are Haiti’s elections shaping up? Has enough been done to ensure that they are clean? What role should the United States and international community play?

Stephen Johnson, regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the International Republican Institute and former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Western Hemisphere affairs: “When asked the same question, most in-country observers seem confident that the Aug. 9 elections could take place, although none discount a last-minute delay. Most point to planning that began well before the parliament lost its quorum and President Martelly began ruling by decree in January. The big question is whether there is enough money to pay for these contests that comprise a vote for national legislators in August, a first round for president and municipal elections in October, and a second round for president in December. Estimates run from $20 million to $30 million that the state still needs for the overall process. This set of elections is complicated by the fact that changes in the law eased requirements for establishing parties, such that virtually anyone can create one. Now there are more than a hundred, and few represent any significant constituency. As of the beginning of July, there were 56 candidates for president, some 1,600 candidates for 118 lower chamber seats and more than 220 for 30 Senate seats. As mandates for municipal officials long ago ran out absent new elections, Martelly appointed mayors. That meant that communities had no leadership effectively answerable to citizens. Given all that, one would hope that the Provisional Electoral Council would be able to organize enough workers to effectively manage all polling places, that presidential and municipal elections would follow as scheduled in October, and that enough funding would become available to finance a second presidential round, which seems highly likely to be needed. In the background is a shrinking United Nations Peacekeeping Force, skepticism on the part of the donor community that Haiti can pull off this important vote and leadership changes at the U.S. Embassy and the State Department’s Haiti coordinator office that will have an impact. A challenging situation, but one in which successful elections would give the country badly needed bump in forward momentum.”

James Morrell, executive director of the Haiti Democracy Project: “This election is badly overdue. U.S. diplomacy was right to press for it. But in Haiti, you have to be careful that in moving against one faction you don’t end up bringing in something worse. In this case, we squeezed the power out of President Michel Martelly’s hands and let it slip to that veteran of disasters, former President René Préval. There was a chance to redeem this mistake when Jacques Bernard, the director the three freest elections in Haiti’s history, was nominated as election commissioner. Under his stewardship, neither Martelly nor Préval would control the commission. But the United States flubbed this chance, too, by blocking his nomination. The superficial reasons that were given pale into insignificance next to the transcendental value of a free election. In his place came a figure from the last electoral commission who had obligingly altered results at Préval’s bidding. Soon the commission was qualifying as candidates 35 violent criminals and excluding the most prominent figures from Martelly’s camp. One of those excluded, the former prime minister, is popular enough to be currently leading a presidential poll with 29 percent even though he is disqualified to run. At the rate the commission is going, there won’t be much left for the voters to do on election day. The choices will already have been made for them. The United States will have its election, and it is willing to settle for almost anything, but there remains the inconvenient matter of U.S. law, which prohibits funds for any but free elections. Senator Rubio’s amendment raises the possibility that U.S. policymakers might have to answer for the choices they make. Perhaps by coincidence, the United States has yet to disburse its currently-slated contribution to the election.”

Jessica Faieta, U.N. assistant secretary-general and regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the United Nations Development Programme: “The forthcoming elections in Haiti are essential for the re-establishment of institutional balance and for Haiti’s long-term democratic consolidation. More than 41,000 candidates from 128 political parties will be running for more than 6,000 posts. Almost six million Haitians will choose 1,420 local level leaders, 139 parliamentarians and a new president in three polling days. Transparency, inclusiveness and impartiality are the three cornerstones that will promote a widely accepted outcome. All actors, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), government, judiciary, political parties and civil society have a crucial role. International and U.N. partners, including the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), have provided instrumental support. High-quality electoral materials and secure ballots have been procured. National police have also provided enhanced training for electoral security agents. Moreover, the CEP has amended the codes of conduct for electoral personnel and is improving training of electoral staff, procedures and technology-based tools that will help reduce the likelihood of errors, irregularities and manipulation. Also, a sensitization campaign to encourage people to vote is ongoing, with TV and radio stations’ support. As of today, the Aug 9 polls are on track. The successful holding of these elections is not only a political and human-rights imperative–they are also essential for the country’s sustainable development, good governance and stability.”

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