Port-au-Prince, Thursday, April 9, 2026 – In a press release published on April 8, the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) announced the postponement of voter registration and candidate registration operations, initially scheduled for April 1 and April 13, 2026, respectively. In the background: the implementation of a government decree imposing a revision of the electoral legal framework.
The CEP explains that this decision follows the publication, on March 24, 2026, of a decree adopted by the Council of Ministers modifying the terms of its mandate. This text requires the electoral institution to comply with the provisions of Articles 12 and 14 of the National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections.
With this in mind, the Council indicates that it is engaged in work to harmonize the electoral decree of December 1, 2025, with these new requirements. This is a technical yet structural process that directly affects the electoral calendar.
This postponement comes even as concrete progress had been made on the ground. On April 1, a simulation of the voter registration process was organized at the National Lyceum of Pétion-Ville. On that occasion, electoral registry agents successfully tested a digital registration system using connected tablets.
According to the President of the Provisional Electoral Council, Jacques Desrosiers, who spoke during the simulation, these tests demonstrate that “the voter registration process was on the verge of being technically realized,” suggesting an advanced level of preparation despite administrative constraints.
At the same time, the CEP had already taken a significant step by publishing, on March 26, 2026, the list of political parties approved to participate in the upcoming elections. Out of 320 registered organizations, 282 were validated, while the others were given additional time to complete their files.
Although new dates for registration and candidate filing operations are expected “imminently,” this postponement raises questions about meeting electoral deadlines. However, the CEP seeks to reassure. The institution reaffirms its commitment to conducting the electoral process “in strict respect for its institutional independence and democratic norms,” guaranteeing inclusiveness, impartiality, and transparency.
It should be noted that the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has set the first round of presidential and legislative elections for August 30, 2026. It had officially submitted the draft electoral decree and the detailed calendar to the Presidential Transition Council on Friday, November 14, 2025.
According to this calendar, the first round of legislative and presidential elections is scheduled for August 30, 2026. The second round, which will also include local government elections, is scheduled for December 6, 2026. The electoral campaign for the first round will run from March 15 to August 29, 2026, while the final results of the first round will be published on October 3, 2026. The country is expected to have newly elected leaders sworn in around January 20, 2027.
Several observers had expressed doubts about meeting the schedule after the signing and promulgation of the National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections. This pact also provides for constitutional changes to be submitted for popular approval.
