See also: Subsection on Elections Under Country Conditions

Our Work

Residents of the Citi Soleil neighborhood line up to cast their ballot in Haiti's presidential and legislative elections in Port-au-PrinceBAI and IJDH work to protect the right of Haitians to select their government through fair elections. Using public advocacy and legal analysis, IJDH works to ensure that the international community has credible information about Haiti’s political situation, and that the rights of Haitian voters are prioritized in discussions and policy. BAI collaborates with grassroots groups and rural communities to help insert human rights issues into the campaign and promote candidate accountability. IJDH and BAI also use election monitoring to gather and disseminate real-time information on the progress of elections in Haiti.

Background to 2015 Elections
The administration of President Michel Martelly came to power in 2011 through deeply flawed elections with outsized involvement by powerful countries outside Haiti. This administration proposed several Provisional Electoral Councils (CEPs) to oversee elections between 2012 and 2014, none of which met constitutional requirements, and none of which were approved by Parliament. As a result, no elections have been held since, though legislative elections were constitutionally required in 2011 and 2013.
woman voting
As a result of these election delays, the terms of all but 10 members of Parliament expired on January 12, 2015. With Parliament unable to act, President Martelly began governing without parliamentary oversight, in violation of the Haitian Constitution.  A new CEP, regarded by most stakeholders as credible, has been established to administer presidential, legislative and local elections scheduled for three dates in 2015: August 9, October 25 and December 27.  In these elections, Haitian voters will elect over 5,000 public officials, including a new President, 20 Senators, 118 Deputies and thousands of local officials.
BAI and IJDH strategies to promote fair elections include:

  • An online groundsourcing platform where Haitians can report by text message on any irregularities in voter registration and voting, as well as documenting initial election day results around the country
  • An accessible elections blog, produced by a collaboration including BAI/IJDH, featuring legal analysis, press releases and media interviews to inform international media and serve as a watchdog for international involvement in Haiti’s elections
  • Working with rural communities in BAI’s Civic Engagement Program to develop strategies for holding elected officials accountable and inserting human rights into election debates
  • Applying pressure on international governments and public officials to support initiatives that will promote democracy and development in Haiti

Developments

Letter from Member of Congress, Maxine Waters, to Ambassador Sison urging US to oppose elections in Haiti until politically motivated attacks against government critics have ceased and all Haitians are able to participate without fear- October 5, 2020 [informal French translation here]
Haiti Elections Blog – expert analysis of recent developments, legal resources, voting resources and fact check.
Haiti 2017: From Demonstration Election to Electoral Coup” Haiti Action Committee, February 21, 2017
Haiti’s Eroding DemocracyJacobin, February 13, 2017
Haiti’s Unrepresentative Democracy: Disenfranchisement and Disillusionment in the November 20 Elections” (report) National Lawyers Guild, International Association of Democratic Lawyers, February 6, 2017

Executive Summary: English, Français

2017

Jovenel Moise sworn in as Haiti’s new presidentAl Jazeera, February 7, 2017
Haiti set to welcome a new president on TuesdayMiami Herald, February 6, 2017
Human Rights Lawyers Call Haitian Electoral Court’s Verification a Lost Opportunity” (BAI/IJDH press release), January 10, 2017
Le BCEN a rendu son verdict pour les présidentielleseHaiti Network, January 3, 2017

2016

Haiti orders review of presidential vote resultsJamaica Observer, December 20, 2016
Au Centre de tabulation des votes (CTV), la vérification se fait difficilementLe Nouvelliste, December 20, 2016
As Haitians observe International Human Rights Day, lawyers concerned that low turnout and voter exclusion indicate threats to Haitians’ right to vote“, (BAI/IJDH press release), December 10, 2016
Breakdown of Preliminary Election Results in HaitiCenter for Economic and Policy Research, December 6, 2016
Haiti voters set to elect a new president in the midst of hurricane recovery effortsMiami Herald, November 19, 2016
Rapport d’enquête sur l’état d’avancement des travaux de réparation/réhabilitation des centres de vote suite au passage de l’ouragan MatthewObservatoire Citoyen pour l’Institutionnalisation de la Démocratie, November 17, 2016
Aristide recadré par quatre des cinq principaux candidats à la présidenceLe Nouvelliste, November 8, 2016
L’ouragan Mathieu et ses répercussions sur l’organisation électoraleOrganisation des Etats Americains, October 11, 2016
Rerun elections in Haiti postponed due to Hurricane MatthewMiami Herald, October 5, 2016
Democracy Discouraged: International Observers and Haiti’s 2015 Elections” (report) National Lawyers Guild, International Association of Democratic Lawyers and Haiti Support Group, September 19, 2016

Haiti kicks off presidential campaigning with a timid startMiami Herald, August 23, 2016
Haiti – Elections : A tool to fight against electoral fraudHaitiLibre, July 19, 2016
Will a Haiti election without U.S. dollars undermine the vote?Miami Herald, July 18, 2016
Haiti – Politic : D-Day for Jocelerme PrivertHaitiLibre, June 21, 2016
Haiti panel calls for re-run of presidential electionsMiami Herald, May 30, 2016
Clinton’s Long ShadowJacobin, May 27, 2016
Moïse Jean-Charles écrit à Barack ObamaLe Nouvelliste, April 25, 2016
As Haiti misses presidential runoff deadline, protests scheduledMiami Herald, April 23, 2016
Don’t rush Haiti’s presidential vote,” (op-ed by OAS ambassador Sanders) Miami Herald, April 20, 2016
60 Diaspora Groups and Leaders Ask Kerry to Drop U.S. Resistance to Haiti Vote Fraud Inquiry (IJDH press release), April 7, 2016
Letter from the Haitian-American Community to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Elections in Haiti, April 7, 2016
Haiti’s presidential elections dilemma: to recount or not?” Miami Herald, March 30, 2016
Haitian Prime Minister Rejected by Parliament, Why and What Comes Next?Haiti Relief and Reconstruction Watch, March 21, 2016
Michel Martelly, Haiti’s President, Departs Without a SuccessorThe New York Times, February 7, 2016
Rep Clarke writes to Secretary Kerry urging free, fair elections and responsible transition of power, February 5, 2016
Haiti faces growing crisis as election chief resignsJamaica Observer, January 29, 2016
Democracy on Hold in Haiti,” (Editorial) The New York Times, January 26, 2016
Protesters Demand That President Martelly ResignThe New York Times, January 24, 2016
Haiti cancels Sunday presidential runoff electionsMiami Herald, January 22, 2016
I will not participate in Haiti’s farce of a presidential election,” (Op-ed by candidate Jude Celestin) Miami Herald, January 21, 2016
U.S. Presses for Haiti Runoff Vote Amid Fears of Violence and Fraud,” The New York Times, January 21, 2016
Congresswoman Waters Urges Secretary Kerry Not to Support Flawed Elections in Haiti, January 21, 2016
Postpone election; Haiti is not ready,” (Editorial) Miami Herald, January 21, 2016
Over 140 Haitian-American Groups and Leaders Warn Kerry: Going ahead with fraudulent elections in Haiti “a recipe for unrest” (IJDH press release), January 19, 2016
U.S. Rep. Clark writes Secretary Kerry expressing “deep concern” about fraud in Haiti’s elections, January 19, 2016
U.S. Rep. Hastings writes Secretary Kerry urging a fair election process “acceptable to all”, January 8, 2016
Evaluation Commission’s Ambiguous Report May Only Deepen Haiti’s Electoral Crisis,” by IJDH Voting Rights Associate Nik Barry-Shaw, Haiti Elections Blog, January 5, 2016
Report of the National Lawyers Guild and International Association of Democratic Lawyers Delegation on the October 25, 2015, Presidential and Legislative Elections in Haiti, November 2015

Legal Analysis

Haiti Elections: A Resource and News Blog, February 6, 2017

2016

Rapport de la Commission Indépendante d’Evaluation et de Vérification Electorale: Elections de 2015 – May 29, 2016

2015

IJDH Webinar on Elections in Haiti – July 21, 2015
The CEP and Elections in Haiti: Décharge Is the Price of the Ticket – July 17, 2015
Ensuring Fair Elections in Haiti: Legal Analysis of Recent Developments – January 19, 2015

2011

Reconstructing Democracy: Joint Report of Independent Electoral Monitors of Haiti’s November 28, 2010 Election – February 20, 2011

2010

Haiti’s November 28 Elections: Trying to Legitimize the Illegitimate  – November 22, 2010
The International Community Should Pressure the Haitian Government for Prompt and Fair Elections – June 30, 2010

Reports and Documents

2017

Haiti’s Unrepresentative Democracy: Disenfranchisement and Disillusionment in the November 20 Elections” (report) National Lawyers Guild, International Association of Democratic Lawyers, February 6, 2017
Executive Summary, Résumé Exécutif

2016

Elections du 20 novembre 2016 : Un scrutin acceptable Des préoccupations Des corrections à apporter, Coalition d’Observation Electorale – December 2, 2016
Observations préliminaires de la Coalition sur l’organisation et la réalisation du scrutin du 20 novembre 2016, Réseau National de Défense des Droits Humains – November 21, 2016
Democracy Discouraged: International Observers and Haiti’s 2015 Elections, National Lawyers Guild, International Association of Democratic Lawyers, Haiti Support Group – September 19, 2016
Executive Summary, Résumé Exécutif, Resumen Ejecutivo
Réponse du bras Technique de la CIEVE à l’analyse de la MOE-UE – June 14, 2016
Rapport de la Commission Indépendante d’Evaluation et de Vérification Electorale: Elections de 2015 – May 29, 2016

2015

Report of the National Lawyers Guild and International Association of Democratic Lawyers Delegation on the October 25, 2015, Presidential and Legislative Elections in Haiti – November 2015
Freedom in the World 2015Freedom House – August 2015
Pak Elektoral: Ann Kore Elektè Yo Pou n Kore Demokrasi – August 2015

Articles

2017

Haiti 2017: From Demonstration Election to Electoral CoupHaiti Action Committee, February 21, 2017
Haiti’s Eroding Democracy, Jacobin, February 13, 2017

2016

OAS wants respect for electoral process in HaitiCaribbean Life, December 24, 2016
Breakdown of Preliminary Election Results in HaitiCenter for Economic and Policy Research, December 6, 2016
Le CEP a rendu publique la ventilation des votes par départemente-Haiti Network, December 6, 2016
Clinton E-Mails Point to US Intervention in 2010 Haiti ElectionsCenter for Economic and Policy Research, September 7, 2016
Haiti commission has 30 days to verify elections resultsMiami Herald, April 28, 2016
Haiti Elections Round-up April 27, 2016 – Haiti Elections, A Resource and News Blog
As Haiti Political Crisis Deepens, International Organizations Reducing Aid Just as the Country Needs It MostAlternet, March 25, 2016.
Accord or Discord? Political agreement eases tensions, but crisis persists – CEPR Haiti Relief and Reconstruction Watch, February 16, 2016
Power and Money Rules in Artibonite Legislative Elections – Center for Economic and Policy Research, February 7, 2016
Michel Martelly Haiti’s President, Departs Without a SuccessorThe New York Times, Feb. 7, 2016
Provisional government to rule Haiti after Martelly departsMiami Herald, February 6, 2016
Haiti faces growing crisis as election chief resignsJamaica Observer, January 29, 2016
After Haiti Elections Postponed, Is the U.S. Rushing to Protect Clinton?The Real News, January 26, 2016
Protesters in Haiti Demand That President Martelly Resign – January 24, 2016
Haiti elections postponed a third timeBBC, January 22, 2016
Haiti cancels Sunday presidential runoff elections  – Miami Herald, January 22, 2016
Postpone election; Haiti is not readyMiami Herald, January 21, 2016
U.S. Presses for Haiti Runoff Vote Amid Fears of Violence  – The New York Times, January 21, 2016
Haiti Senate calls for a halt to Sunday presidential runoffMiami Herald, January 20, 2016
Haiti’s Election Crisis. How did we get here?  – Boston Haitian Reporter, January 20, 2016
Miami Herald, Opposition Senator to head Haitian Senate – January 15, 2016
Haiti parliament returns after year of inactionYahoo! News, January 12, 2016
It’s official: Haiti presidential runoff in 17 daysMiami Herald, January 7, 2016
Haiti presidential vote plagued by irregularities, report findsMiami Herald January 3, 2016

2015

The US Congress Needs to Hear From the Haitian Diaspora and Its Supporters Now! Stop US Support for Violent and Corrupt Elections in Haiti! – (call-in day), December 23, 2015
Haiti postpones presidential, legislative electionsMiami Herald, December 22, 2015
Haiti Leader Forms Commission to Evaluate ElectionsThe New York Times, December 17, 2015
Haiti PM recommends commission to end election impasseMiami Herald, December 17, 2015
ISSUE A PUBLIC STATEMENT SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO REVIEW THE RECENT HAITIAN ELECTIONS – (petition), December 16, 2015
U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson writes Secretary Kerry urging “independent, Haitian-led verification of the October vote”, December 14, 2015
Letter from Frederick Wilson, Member of Congress to John Kerry, Secretary Of State – IJDH, December 14, 2015
Haiti Deserves a Legitimate ElectionNew York Times, December 13, 2015
Haiti Deserves a Legitimate Election – (Editorial) The New York Times, December 12, 2015
The show must not go on (Op-ed) – The Hill, December 8, 2015
Ensure integrity of Haiti’s electionMiami Herald, December 2, 2015
International observers establish flaws in Haiti’s October 25 vote, call for independent investigation – National Lawyers Guild and International Association of Democratic Lawyers, November 24, 2015
Scrutin du 25 octobre 2015 : une vaste opération de fraude électorale planifiéeSolidarite Fanm Ayisyen, Conseil National d’Observation Électorale, Conseil Haïtien des Acteurs Non Étatiques, and Réseau National de Défense des Droits Humains, November 12, 2015
112- Communique de PresseConseil Électoral Provisoire, October 29, 2015 (CEP launches commission to investigate fraud)
Face aux grands électeurs, la transparence seule nous exemptera du pireLe Nouvelliste, October 28, 2015
61 Congresspersons Demand Fair Elections in HaitiHouse Committee on Foreign Affairs, October 9, 2015
Clinton Emails Reveal “Behind the Doors Actions” of Private Sector and US Embassy in Haiti ElectionsHaiti Relief and Reconstruction Watch, October 8, 2015
Instill integrity in Haiti’s electionMiami Herald, October 5, 2015
Congresswoman Waters Urges Secretary Kerry to Support Free, Fair and Democratic Elections in Haiti – October 5, 2015
Political Party that Played Key Role in Bringing about Elections Drops out of RaceHaiti Relief and Reconstruction Watch, September 9, 2015
Leading political party pulls out of Haiti’s legislative electionsReuters, September 8, 2015
International Coverage of August 9 Legislative Elections
Haiti to redo legislative elections in 25 constituenciesMiami Herald, August 21, 2015
Observers criticize unruly Haitian electionsYahoo News, August 11, 2015
OAS validates Haiti elections as opposition condemns processFox News Latino, August 11, 2015
Haiti – Elections : A poll marred by serious irregularities, acts of violence and fraud…Haiti Libre, August 11, 2015
Haiti elections fall victim to violence, delaysPanAm Post, August 11, 2015
2 dead in Haiti election violence – partiesNews24, August 11, 2015
Des centres de vote saccagés à l’Av. John BrownLe Nouvelliste, August 10, 2015
Long-Overdue Haitian Elections Marked By Violence and DelaysVice News, August 10, 2015
Observers: Haiti elections weren’t perfect, but they happened — finallyMiami Herald, August 10, 2015
Fights, ballot-box stuffing mar election as Haitians pick Parliament membersThe Boston Globe, August 10, 2015
Haiti Elections Off To A Difficult Start Haitian Times, August 10, 2015
Fistfights, sporadic reports of fraud in Haiti electionsAssociated Press, WRAL, August 10, 2015
No major incidents as Haiti holds long-overdue pollsAl Jazeera, August 10, 2015
Delayed Haiti Election Marred by ViolenceBBC World Service, August 10, 2015
Int’l monitors say vote irregularities did not disrupt legitimacy of overall Haiti electionsU.S. News & World Report, August 10, 2015
Haitians vote in long-delayed legislative elections amid delays, disorder at polling centersU.S. News & World Report, August 9, 2015
Haiti Elections 2015: Fear of Violence Kept Some Voters Home, But Process Went ‘Fairly Smoothly,’ Witness SaysInternational Business Times, August 9, 2015
Haiti’s first election in four years marred by sporadic violenceReuters, August 9, 2015
Balloting suspended in dozens of centers as Haitians elect new parliamentMiami Herald, August 9, 2015
Haiti election: Violence mars voting in delayed pollBBC, August 9, 2015
Violence, low turnout threaten Haiti’s Sunday electionsBusiness Insider, August 8, 2015
Haiti Elections Seen As A Test Of StabilityNPR, August 8, 2015
Haiti elections: A critical test for country, police force Miami Herald, August 8, 2015
Haiti Elections: Long-Delayed Vote Will Be Crucial Test For GovernmentInternational Business Times, August 8, 2015
Freedom in the World 2015 – (report), Freedom House, August 2015
Haiti heads towards election day, but few seem to care Yahoo! News, August 6, 2015
Campagne électorale sur fond de violences : le RNDDH tire la sonnette d’alarmeRéseau National de Défense de Droits Humains, August 5, 2015
Haiti Elections 2015: Violence Strikes Parliamentary Candidate Ahead Of Vote, Report Say International Business Times, August 3, 2015
Les partis rejettent la formule adoptéeLe National, July 24, 2015
Peu crédibles, les missions d’observations reviennentLe Nouvelliste, July 20, 2015
Revealed: USAID funded group supporting Haitian president in 2010Al Jazeera, July 15, 2015
Haiti launches campaign season for elections  – Miami Herald, July 9, 2015
Haiti: Election President says Clinton State Dept changed results in 2010Haiti Sentinel, July 6, 2015
Despite Mandatory Quotas, Women are Exceedingly Underrepresented among 2015 Electoral CandidatesThe Haiti Elections Blog, June 12, 2015
Haiti Releases Final List of Presidential CandidatesABC News, June 12, 2015
Former Haiti PM Lamothe’s presidential bid rejectedMiami Herald, June 3, 2015
Haïti – Élections : Des dizaines de candidats aux législatives à la moralité douteuse (liste)HaitiLibre, June 3, 2015
Haiti confronts avalanche of presidential candidatesYahoo! News, May 21, 2015
Can Haiti’s Elections Handle 131 Political Parties?  – Haiti Elections Blog, May 21, 2015
Former Haiti PM Lamothe joins presidential race along with dozens of othersMiami Herald, May 20, 2015
CEP Releases Final List of Candidates for Legislative ElectionsCenter for Economic and Policy Research, May 19, 2015
Plus de 500 candidats écartés des élections législatives sur les 2 039 inscritsLe Nouvelliste, May 15, 2015
Des femmes bloquent l’installation des membres du BECLe Nouvelliste, May 8, 2015
Haiti’s politicians scramble to register for overdue electionsReuters, April 23, 2015
Veut-on vraiment des élections ?Le Nouvelliste, April 20, 2015
Elections loom: Haiti’s year of living dangerouslyYahoo! News, April 19, 2015
Poll: Majority of Haitians Say Country “Headed in the Wrong Direction”Center for Economic and Policy Research, April 3, 2015
Haïti – Élections : Liste complète des Partis politiques agréés et non agréésHaitiLibre, March 26, 2015
After years of delays, Haiti at last sets election datesYahoo! News, March 16, 2015
Haitian Leader’s Power Grows as Scandals SwirlNew York Times, March 16, 2015
Le CEP invite le chef de l’Etat à convoquer le peuple dans ses comicesLe Nouvelliste, March 13, 2015
Haiti elections calendar sent to MartellyMiami Herald, March 12, 2015
Important dates of the Electoral TimetableHaitiLibre, March 12, 2015
Mario Joseph Brings Haiti Elections to Capitol Hill – (statement), March 6, 2015
Haiti – Elections : No consensus on the electoral timetableHaitiLibre, March 1, 2015
Amnesty International Report 2014/15Amnesty International, February 2015
Ending Haiti’s Crisis Begins With Giving Haitians a Fair VoteWorld Politics Review, February 17, 2015
A Look at the New Provisional Electoral CouncilCenter for Economic and Policy Research, February 6, 2015
U.S. Ambassador Calling One-Man Rule in Haiti Constitutional is Incorrect, Dangerous – (press release), January 30, 2015
Elections 2015 : « la population haïtienne n’acceptera aucune excuse ! »Le Nouvelliste, January 26, 2015
One-man rule in HaitiMiami Herald, January 26, 2015
U.N. Security Councils ends ‘informative’ visit to HaitiMiami Herald, January 25, 2015
Remarks at a Press Conference at the End of the Visit of the Security Council to HaitiUnited States Mission to the United Nations, January 25, 2015
UN Security Council members arrive in Haiti for 3-day visitYahoo! News, January 23, 2015
U.N. Security Council backs Martelly, calls for electionsMiami Herald, January 23, 2015
Choisi le côté de la démocratie en HaïtiMiami Herald, January 22, 2015
No cheerleading for MartellyMiami Herald, January 21, 2015
Haiti president to announce new government after parliament dissolvedReuters, January 16, 2015
Haiti: There’s Nothing Wrong With American Imperialism That Can’t Be Solved With What Is Right About American ImperialismThe Nation, January 15, 2015
Haiti’s Political Crisis and the Impact on Reconstruction – (roundtable discussion), January 13, 2015
Five Years After Devastating Haiti Earthquake, Protesters Want President Martelly to ResignVICE News, January 12, 2015
Legal Experts Issue Briefing Paper on Haiti’s Current Political Crisis – (press release), January 9, 2015
UN Security Council Heading to Haiti to Press for ElectionsMiami Herald, January 5, 2015

2014

Political accord in Haiti seeks to avert crisisReuters, December 29, 2014
As Haiti election delays continue, Aristide remains focusMiami Herald, September 16, 2014
Haiti – Elections : The Lower House passed a resolution in favor of Article 12 of El RanchoHaitiLibre, September 6, 2014
Haiti’s Fragile DemocracyJurist, August 31, 2014
OAS Permanent Council Urged Haiti to Hold Overdue Elections and Convened a Special General Assembly on Strategic VisionReliefweb, August 27, 2014
Once again, Haiti government could be in danger of collapseLatin Correspondent, August 22, 2014
Aristide Warrant and Brandt Prison Break Overshadow Election DerailmentHaiti Liberte, August 20, 2014
IJDH Update on Recent Political Harassment of President Aristide – (update), August 14, 2014
Will Former President Aristide be Arrested? After 10 Years of Investigations, He Has Never Been ChargedCenter for Economic and Policy Research, August 14, 2014
Despite Flawed Electoral Process, International Community Support Continues UnabatedCenter for Economic and Policy Research, July 9, 2014
Frequently Asked Questions Released About Haiti’s Upcoming Elections – (press release), July 8, 2014
A Constitutional Electoral Council is Imperative for Haiti’s Upcoming Elections – (update), July 3, 2014
Archive of articles published before 2014