December 5, 2025
In a major step toward national reform, Haiti’s Presidential Transition Council (CPT) has officially received the draft of a new Constitution, the result of months of consultations held across all ten departments and among members of the Haitian diaspora. The document was delivered by the Steering Committee, which had been appointed following the National Conference launched by presidential decree in July 2024.
The draft represents a bold reimagining of Haiti’s social contract. It is intended not as a final document, but as a living proposal to be debated, improved, and enriched by stakeholders throughout society. The aim, the Committee says, is to reflect the collective will of the Haitian people and to lay the foundation for just, inclusive, and sustainable governance.
Key provisions of the draft Constitution underscore a commitment to full national inclusion. Article 13 grants Haitians living abroad the same political rights as citizens residing within the country—including the right to vote, run for office, and hold public posts. This move addresses longstanding grievances within the diaspora community, which has often been sidelined from national politics.
Article 16 sets a minimum quota of 40% for women’s representation across all sectors of national life. This provision is meant to correct entrenched gender disparities and enhance female participation in public decision-making.
The draft also elevates education as a national priority. Articles 35-4 through 35-8 mandate state responsibility for preschool, agricultural, vocational, and higher education, with special provisions for individuals with disabilities. Universal access to quality education is presented as a driver of community development and personal empowerment.
Decentralization is another pillar of the proposal. Article 65-1 upgrades all existing communal sections to full municipalities, granting them greater autonomy and resources. The draft also tightens eligibility criteria for mayors (Article 66-2) and departmental governors (Articles 68-2 and 68-3), who would now be elected by direct vote for five-year terms.
The legislative branch would retain its bicameral structure, but with stricter eligibility rules. Deputies (Article 73) and senators (Article 78) must be native-born Haitians with no foreign nationality and must demonstrate a tangible connection to the districts they represent.
Notably, Article 76-3 introduces direct representation for the diaspora in the Senate, allocating two seats to elected representatives from abroad.
The draft Constitution places strong emphasis on sovereignty and the protection of public assets. Article 39-5 prohibits private ownership of sensitive resources—such as coastal areas, rivers, and mineral deposits—declaring them inalienable and part of the national public domain.
Article 39-2 forbids the confiscation or nationalization of private property for political reasons, reaffirming constitutional protections against abuse. Artistic and intellectual creation is protected under Article 41, and Article 59-3 bans foreigners from acquiring property along the country’s land borders, as a safeguard against encroachment on Haitian territory.
The presidency is tightly regulated in the draft. Article 120-2 limits presidential terms to five years, renewable only once, and expressly prohibits extensions or third terms. In the event of a vacancy, Article 120-4 assigns interim leadership to the Council of Ministers, ensuring continuity of governance.
Eligibility criteria for the presidency are spelled out in Article 121: candidates must be Haitian nationals with no other citizenship, be at least 30 years old, reside in Haiti, demonstrate moral integrity, and own property in the country.
In its introductory note, the Steering Committee stresses that the document is a preliminary draft subject to public consultation between May 22 and June 21, 2025. The goal, it says, is “to provide the Republic of Haiti with a modern, inclusive Constitution that reflects today’s realities,” not to close the debate but to open it.
The Prime Minister’s Office previously welcomed the Committee’s initiative, describing the draft as part of a broader national dialogue aimed at building a more just, transparent, and representative state. Authorities are now calling on citizens, political parties, civil society groups, and institutions to engage with the document and make their voices heard.
