CARICOM electoral mission to Haiti conducts initial assessments

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Election Observer Mission (CEOM) is on the ground in Haiti conducting initial assessments of critical elements of the presidential and legislative electoral process.

The CEOM, led by Dr. Steve Surujbally, the Chairman of Guyana’s Elections Commission, arrived in the French speaking CARICOM Member State on Wednesday 16 November to assess the pre-election environment.  Haitians will cast their ballots on Sunday 20 November 2016.

In a preliminary statement released today, 18 November, the Mission said it has requested meetings with key stakeholders including Haiti’s Prime Minister, the Head of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) of Haiti, representatives of civil society and  other observer groups to listen to their expectations and concerns on the electoral process.

On Election Day, the CARICOM Electoral Observer Mission will assess procedures including the punctual opening of polling stations; the availability of election materials, officials and party agents; the accommodation of the differently-abled; the behaviour of crowds in the immediate vicinity of Polling Stations and security features.

The statement said the Mission is “pleased and privileged to have the opportunity to follow-up on the electoral cycle which began in 2015 to which CARICOM had dispatched an Observation Mission.”

“This Mission is testimony to the Community’s ongoing and unwavering commitment to facilitating the Republic of Haiti’s tireless pursuit of an ever improving democracy, of which improved electoral processes are a critical aspect.

The Mission wishes to place on record its appreciation for the support and cooperation received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other public institutions of the Republic of Haiti since the Team’s arrival in the country,” the statement read.

The team which includes six experienced practitioners of elections management from Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as two members of staff of the CARICOM Secretariat, will spend eight days observing Haiti’s electoral processes.