December 23, 2024
On Friday, October 18, 2024, seven of the nine members of the Provisional Electoral Council (PEC) were sworn in during a ceremony held at the National School of Magistracy, marking a significant step in organizing the upcoming general elections in Haiti. Initially scheduled to take place at the Court of Cassation, the event had to be relocated due to automatic gunfire near the Champ de Mars. Despite the security challenges, the ceremony went forward, underscoring the importance of the ongoing electoral process.
The event was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the President of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), Leslie Voltaire, de facto Prime Minister Garry Conille, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of law enforcement. In a statement, Prime Minister Garry Conille hailed the swearing-in of the CEP as a decisive step toward the much-anticipated general elections. “The swearing-in of the new Provisional Electoral Council marks an important, decisive, and crucial milestone in the electoral process,” he said.
With their mission officially underway, the PEC members immediately assumed their duties. Their primary task will be to oversee the organization of the upcoming elections amid significant security and political challenges. Shortly after the ceremony, a meeting was held between the PEC and the TPC to discuss election preparations. Key topics included ensuring the security of polling stations and establishing mechanisms to guarantee a democratic, free, transparent, and inclusive process.
This meeting, which was originally part of the weekly discussions between Prime Minister Garry Conille and the TPC, was rescheduled to focus on the installation of the PEC members. These officials are now prepared to face the challenge of organizing elections in a context where security threats remain a constant concern.