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14 July 2020 HTI200290.E

Haiti: The political situation, including presidential, legislative and municipal elections; active political parties (2015-July 2020) Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

1. Political Situation 1.1 Composition of Institutions

According to sources, 's parliament is a bicameral body which consists of • an upper house comprising a 30-member (Sénat), or three senators representing each department, who are elected for six-year terms in staggered elections, with one-third of the seats being contested every two years; and • a lower house, comprised of the 119-member Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des députés) (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2020, 13-14; Political Handbook of the World 2019, 27-28), elected for four-year terms (Political Handbook of the World 2019, 28).

According to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), an international non-profit organization that promotes democracy and provides information related to elections around the world (IFES n.d.a), the Provisional Electoral Council (Conseil électoral provisoire, CEP) is Haiti's electoral management body (IFES n.d.b). The Bertelsmann Stiftung Transformation Index (BTI) 2020, which "assesses the transformation toward democracy and a market economy as well as the quality of governance in 137 countries," notes that, as of 2019, President Jovenel Moïse "has not formally established a Permanent Electoral Council" (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2020, 2, 13).

1.2 Recent Elections

According to sources, national elections [legislative, municipal, and presidential (US 11 Mar. 2020, 15)] took place in 2016 (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2020, 5; Political Handbook of the World 2019, 12; US 11 Mar. 2020, 1, 15), on 20 November (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2020, 5; Political Handbook of the World 2019, 12). According to the BTI 2020, the previous president, , was "unable to organize parliamentary and presidential elections for an orderly transfer of power …[and] was forced to relinquish power to a provisional government on February 7, 2016" (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2020, 5). The same source indicates that became interim president, but the government was unable to hold presidential and parliamentary elections within the mandated three months (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2020, 5). The Political Handbook of the World 2018-2019 describes the events surrounding the legislative elections as follows:

The first round of parliamentary elections began on August 9, 2015. However, fraud and technical issues led balloting to be annulled in 22 constituencies. Runoff voting was held on October 25, while reruns of the 22 cancelled constituencies were to be held in April 2016. That balloting was postponed to October 9, 2016, and then postponed again because of Hurricane Matthew …. The first round of the postponed balloting was conducted on November 20, with runoff voting scheduled for January 29, 2017. Results from all of the balloting through November 2016 put the newly formed, pro- Martelly Haitian Party Tèt Kale (Parti Haïtien Tèt Kale—PHTK) in first with 31 deputies and 5 senators, followed by Truth (Verite), 17 and 3; and the OPL, 9, and 1. (Political Handbook of the World 2019, 12, italics in original)

Sources indicate that Jovenel Moïse was elected as president ["for a five-year term" (US 11 Mar. 2020, 1)], and that he took office in February 2017 [7 February 2017 (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2020, 5)] (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2020, 5; US 11 Mar. 2020, 1). According to the BTI 2020, Jovenel Moïse won with 55 percent of the vote, but that a turnout rate of 21 percent "seriously affected the legitimacy of the new president" (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2020, 5). The Political Handbook of the World 2018-2019 describes the events surrounding the presidential elections as follows:

[O]n October 25, 2015, the first round of presidential balloting was held. Jovenal MOÏSE (PHTK) was first with 32.8 percent of the vote, followed by Jude Célestin, now with the Alternative League for Haitian Progress and Empowerment (Ligue Alternative pour le Progrès et L'Emancipation Haitienne—LAPEH), with 25.3 percent of the vote, among 56 candidates. Since no candidate secured more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff was scheduled for December 27. The results were denounced by various political parties, and widespread violent demonstrations occurred. On December 22, the runoff was postponed.

On January 1, 2016, Martelly announced that the runoff would be scheduled for January 17. Continuing protests and escalating violence led to repeated additional postponements. Meanwhile, Martelly's term ended on February 7, and he left office. Jocelerme PRIVERT, the president of the Senate, was elected by Parliament on February 14 to serve as acting president until new elections were held. Eventually, October 9 was set as the date for the second round of presidential balloting to coincide with legislative elections. However, Hurricane Matthew caused the polling to be once again delayed. In voting on November 20, Moïse secured 55.7 percent of the vote, followed by Célestin, with 19.5 percent, and 25 other candidates according to preliminary results. Losing candidates protested the balloting, and some demonstrations continued. The election commission certified the results on November 27, and the courts rejected a series of suits filed by opposition candidates. Moïse was inaugurated on February 7, 2017. He named , a physician and political neophyte who belonged to the small Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Haiti (Mouvement Démocratique de Liberation d'Haïti—MODELH), as prime minister on February 23. A new government was sworn in on March 12. (Political Handbook of the World 2019, 12-13, italics and uppercase in original)

1.3 Electoral Results

According to the IFES, on 9 August 2015, Haitian legislative elections were to elect two-thirds of the 30-member Senate and all 119 members of the Chamber of Deputies (IFES 6 Aug. 2015, 1). The same source indicated that on 25 October 2015, Haiti would hold presidential, second-round legislative and municipal elections, as well as, in 24 constituencies, reruns of the first-round legislative elections held on 9 August 2015 (IFES 23 Oct. 2015, 1). The same source also stated that on 20 November, elections would be held for the President, 16 representatives to the Senate and 52 representatives to the Chamber of Deputies (IFES 20 Nov. 2016). On 29 January 2017, the IFES indicated that elections would be held for 8 senators in a second-round election, 1 deputy to the lower chamber, 3,032 members for the 570 Administrations of Communal Sections (Assemblées de sections communales, ASEC), 1,170 members of the 570 Boards of Directors of Communal Sections (Conseils d'administration de sections communales, CASEC), and 785 city delegates (delegués de ville, DV) to the 140 communes (IFES 27 Jan. 2017, 1).

An article on HaïtiLibre, a Haitian news website, provides a list, released by the CEP on 13 May 2015, of persons eligible to participate in legislative elections, including 186 for the Senate and 1,329 for the Chamber of Deputies (HaïtiLibre 15 May 2015). In August 2016, the same source published another list of additional approved candidates to participate in the elections for the Senate (HaïtiLibre 10 Aug. 2016).

HaïtiLibre, in its electoral coverage, further provided the following results: • The first round of legislative elections on 9 August 2015 resulted in the election of two senators and eight deputies (HaïtiLibre 28 Sept. 2015); • The second round of legislative elections on 25 October 2015 resulted in the election of twelve senators (HaïtiLibre 19 Dec. 2015a) and eighty-four deputies (HaïtiLibre 19 Dec. 2015b); • On 20 November 2016, elections were held for the first round of one- third of senate seats, of which two senators were elected on the first ballot, and for complementary legislative elections, of which six senators and twenty-four deputies were elected (HaïtiLibre 5 Dec. 2016); and • On 29 January 2017, the second-round elections for one-third of senate seats resulted in the election of five senators (HaïtiLibre 9 Feb. 2017).

According to the CEP, the results of the presidential elections of 20 November 2016, for candidates that received more than 1 percent of the vote, were as follows: • Jovenel Moïse (PHTK): 55.6 percent of the vote; • Jude Célestin (LAPEH): 19.57 percent; • Jean-Charles Moïse (Pitit Dessalines): 11.04 percent; and • Maryse Narcisse (): 9.01 percent (Haiti 3 Jan. 2017).

An article by Radio France internationale (RFI) indicates that after the polling on 25 October 2015, the PHTK won 36 of 140 communes, with new mayors coming from 30 different parties (RFI 18 Nov. 2015). HaïtiLibre indicates that the CEP proclaimed the final results of the elections of local authorities for the ASEC, the CASEC, and the city delegates in April 2017 (HaïtiLibre 21 Apr. 2017).

1.4 2018-2020

According to the Political Handbook of the World 2018-2019, Prime Minister LaFontant resigned on 14 July 2018 after massive protests leading to civil unrest began across Haiti due to the announcement of a reduction in fuel subsidies (Political Handbook of the World 2019, 13). The same source indicates that he was replaced by Jean-Henry Céant on August 5, with the new cabinet confirmed by the legislature on September 15-16 (Political Handbook of the World 2019, 13). Antigovernment protests continued throughout 2019 (Freedom House 4 Mar. 2020; UN 7 Jan. 2020, 11). Prime Minister Céant left office in March 2019 (Freedom House 4 Mar. 2020; UN 9 Oct. 2019, para. 3; US 11 Mar. 2020, 1), and was replaced by Jean-Michel Lapin, who was subsequently replaced in July by Fritz-William Michel (Freedom House 4 Mar. 2020; UN 9 Oct. 2019, para. 3). At the end of 2019, the new prime minister remained unapproved by parliament (Freedom House 4 Mar. 2020; US 11 Mar. 2020, 1). Sources indicate that on 2 March 2020, Joseph Jouthe was named the new prime minister by President Moïse (Le Monde with AFP 4 Mar. 2020; RCI 6 Mar. 2020). According to sources, legislative and municipal elections scheduled for October 2019 have not been rescheduled (Freedom House 4 Mar. 2020; US 11 Mar. 2020, 15).

2. Political Parties

According to the BTI 2020, the party system in Haiti is "highly fragmented and volatile. Political parties do not represent the interests of the population, but represent mainly individual or clientelistic interests … [and] can appear or disappear literally overnight" (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2020, 14). The same source also states that "[n]one of the parties are structured with loyal members. Most leaders tend to change parties in the middle of the calendar year and they do not support any public policy issues or a well-developed program" (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2020, 14).

The same source notes that there are currently 24 parties in the Chamber of Deputies (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2020, 14). According to a document hosted on HaïtiLibre, the CEP received applications from 188 political parties or organizations for registration prior to the 2015 elections (Haiti n.d.). According to an August 2015 document by the IFES, 128 political parties had candidates registered to run in the legislative elections (IFES 6 Aug. 2015).

The Political Handbook of the World 2018-2019 names the following legislative parties and their reported seats in the 2015-2016 elections: • Haitian Party Tèt Kale (Parti haïtien Tèt Kale, PHTK), Leaders: Jovenel Moïse (Haitian president) and Ann Valérie Timothée Milfort (Party President), won 6 seats in the Senate and 31 in the Chamber; • Alternative League for Haitian Progress and Empowerment (Ligue alternative pour le progrès et l'émancipation haïtienne, LAPEH), Leader: Jude Célestin, won 3 seats in the Chamber; • Unity (), Leaders: Marie Denise Claude, Levaillant Louis-Jeune, Sorel Jacinthe, Rodolphe Joazide, Levaillant Louis Jeune, and Dieudonne Saincyr, won 1 Senate seat and 4 Chamber seats; • Convention for Democratic Unity (Konvansyon Inite Democratik, KID), Leader: , won 3 Senate seats and 8 in the Chamber; • Organization of the Struggling People (Organisation du peuple en lutte, OPL), Leaders: Sauveur Pierre-Etienne, Paul Denis, and Edgard Leblanc, won 3 Senate seats and 17 Chamber seats; • Haitian Social-Democratic Fusion Party (Parti fusion des sociaux- démocrates haïtiens, PFSDH or Fusion), Leaders: Edmonde Supplice Beauzile, Victor Benoit, Serge Gilles, Rosemond Pradel, and Micha Gaillard, won 4 seats in the Chamber; • The Lavalas Family (La Fanmi Lavalas, FL), Leaders: Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Luis Gérard-Gilles, Maryse Narcisse, and Joel Vorbe, won 1 Senate seat and 8 in the Chamber; and • Haiti in Action (Ayiti an Aksyon, AAA), Leader: Youri Latortue, won 1 Senate and 6 Chamber seats (Political Handbook of the World 2019, 18-22).

The same source notes that other parties that won seats included the following:

• Truth (Verite); • Reseau national bouclier (Bouclier); • Renmen Ayiti; • Tet Kole sous Chimen Devlopman pou un Nord'Ouest uni et Renonve; • Consortium des partis politiques; and • Platfom Pitit Desalin (Political Handbook of the World 2019, 22).

Sources mention other parties that have been active, including the following: • Christian Movement for a New Haiti (Mouvement chrétien pour une nouvelle Haïti, Mochrena), Leaders: Luc Mésadieu and Gilbert N. Léger; • (Respè/Respect) [Regwoupmen Sitwayen Pou Espwa], Leader: ; • For Us All (Pou Nou Tout, ), Leader: [Jean Marie Chérestal (Political Handbook of the World 2019, 22)] or [Pierre Richard Pierre (Haïti-Référence 3 June 2020)]; • Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Haiti–Democratic Revolutionary Party of Haiti (Mouvement démocratique de [pour la] libération d'Haïti, MODELH), Leader: François Latortue; • Rally of Progressive National Democrats (Rassemblement des démocrates nationaux [Nationalistes et] Progressistes, RDNP), Leader: Myrlande [Mirlande Hyppolite] Manigat; • National Christian Union for the Reconstruction of Haiti (Union nationale chrétienne pour la reconstruction d'Haïti, UNCRH), Leader: Jean Chavannes Jeune; • Movement for National Reconstruction (Mouvement pour la [de la] reconstruction nationale, MRN), Leaders: [René Théodore and Jean- Enol Buteau (Political Handbook of the World 2019, 24)] or [Jean Hérold Buteau (Haïti-Référence 3 June 2020)]; • Open the Gate Party (Parti Louvri Barye, PLB), Leader: François Pierre-Louis [and Renaud Bernardin (Political Handbook of the World 2019, 24)]; • Movement for the Installation of Democracy in Haiti (Mouvement pour l'instauration de la démocratie en Haïti, MIDH); • Mobilization for National Development (Mobilisation pour le développement national, MDN), Leaders: Hubert de Ronceray [and Max Carré (Political Handbook of the World 2019, 25)]; • Haitian Social Christian Party (Parti social chrétien d'Haïti, PSCH), Leader: Grégoire Eugène Jr.; • Haitian Christian Democratic Party (Parti démocratique chrétien d'Haïti [d'Haïtien], PDCH), [Leaders: Marie Denise Claude and Osner Fevry (Political Handbook of the World 2019, 25)]; and • National Agricultural and Industrial Party (Parti agricole et industriel [Industrie] national, PAIN), Leader: [Toussaint Desrosiers (Political Handbook of the World 2019, 25)] or [Carnot Duval (Haïti-Référence 3 June 2020)] (Haïti-Référence 3 June 2020; Political Handbook of the World 2019, 19-25).

The Political Handbook of the World 2018-2019 also notes other parties that have been active, including the following (non-exhaustive list): • Peasant Response (), Leaders: Michel Martelly, Fednel Monchery, and Evelyne Thani; • Together We Are Strong (Ansanm Nou Fò), Leaders: Leslie Voltaire and Eric Jean-Jacques; • Organization for the Future (Organizasyon Lavni, Lavni), Leader: Yves Christalin; • Cooperative Action to Build Haiti (Konbit pou Bati Ayiti, Konba), Leaders: Jean William Jeanty and Chavannes Jean-Baptiste; • Platform of Haitian Patriots (Plateforme des patriotes Haïtiens, PLAPH), Leader: Himmler Rebu; • Assembly (Rasamble); • Konbit pou Refe Ayiti, Leader: Claire Lydie Parent; • Socialist Action Movement (Mouvman Aksyon Sosyalis, MAS); • (We Are Watching), Leader: Lavarice Gaudin; • Liberation Platform (Platforme libération, PL), Leader: Serge Jean Louis; • Mobilization for Haiti's Progress (Mobilisation pour le progrès d'Haïti, MPH), Leaders: Samir Georges Mourra and Jacque-Edouard Alexis; • National Reconstruction Front (Front de la reconstruction nationale, FRN), Leaders: Buteur Metayer and ; • Bridge (Pont), Leader: Evallière Beauplan; • Heads Together (Tèt Ansanm), Leader: Dumarsais Siméus; • Patriotic Movement for National Salvage (Mouvement patriotique pour le sauvetage national, MPSN), Leader: Hubert de Ronceray; • Haitian Civic and Political Front (Front civico-politique d'Haïtien, Fronciph); and • National Front for Concerted Action (Front national de concertation, FNC) (Political Handbook of the World 2019, 19-26).

According to Haïti-Référence, a US-based website intended as a reference guide on Haiti, other political parties that have been active include: • Action démocratique pou [pour] batir Haïti (ADEBHA), Leader: Camille Leblanc; • Alliance pour la libération et l'avancement d'Haïti (ALAH), Leader: Reynold Georges; • Congrès national des mouvements démocratiques (KONAKOM), Leader: Victor Benoit; • Mouvman Konbit Nasyonal, Leader: Volvick Rémy Joseph; • Mouvement démocratique et renforcement haïtien (MODEREH), Leader: Pierre Sonson Prince; • Mouvement national et patriotique du 28 novembre (MNP-28), Leader: Déjean Bélizaire; • Mouvement pour l'organisation du pays (MOP), Leader: Greger Jean-Louis; • Mouvement union patriotique (MUP), Leader: Claire Lidye Parent; • PARADIS; • Parti des démocratiques Haïtiens, Leader: Jean Jacques Clark Parent; • Parti national progressiste et révolutionnaire (PANPRA), Leader: Serges Gilles; • Parti national démocratique progressiste d'Haïti (PNDPH), Leader: Turneb J. Delpé; • Parti populaire national (PPN), Leader: Benjamin Dupuy; • Parti pour un développement alternatif (PADH), Leader: Gérard Dalvius; • Parti union pour le renouveau haïtien (URH), Leader: Edouard Francisque; • Parti des industriels, travailleurs, agents de développement et commerçants d'Haïti (PITACH), Leader: Jean Jacques Sylvain; • Pouvoir rassemblement des organisations populaires (PROP), Leader: Claude Dubique; • Rassemblement des démocrates chrétiens (RDC), Leader: Eddy Volel; and • Union nationale des forces démocratiques (UNDF), Leader: Michel Lamartinière Honorat (Haïti-Référence 3 June 2020).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References Bertelsmann Stiftung. 2020. " Haiti Country Report." Bertelsmann Stiftung's Transformation Index (BTI) 2020. [Accessed 25 June 2020]

Freedom House. 4 March 2020. "Haiti." Freedom in the World 2020. [Accessed 25 June 2020]

Haiti. 3 January 2017. Conseil électoral provisoire (CEP). Élections 20 novembre 2016 : premier tour de l'élection présidentielle résultats définitifs [Accessed 7 July 2020]

Haiti. N.d. Conseil électoral provisoire (CEP). " Bilan de l'enregistrement des partis politiques, groupements ou regroupements au CEP." [Accessed 25 June 2020]

HaïtiLibre. 21 April 2017. "Haiti - FLASH: Final Results ASEC, CASEC and City Delegate." [Accessed 7 July 2020]

HaïtiLibre. 9 February 2017. "Haiti - FLASH: Final Results 2nd Round Elections 1/3 Senate." [Accessed 7 July 2020]

HaïtiLibre. 5 December 2016. "Haiti - FLASH: Results of Elections 1/3 Senate, Complementary Legislative…" [Accessed 7 July 2020]

HaïtiLibre. 10 August 2016. "Haiti - Elections: Final List of Approved Candidates Senators." [Accessed 7 July 2020]

HaïtiLibre. 19 December 2015a. "Haiti - FLASH: Final Results of the 2nd Round of Senatorial of October 25, 2015." [Accessed 7 July 2020]

HaïtiLibre. 19 December 2015b. "Haiti - FLASH: Deputies - Final Results of the 2nd Round of October 25, 2015." [Accessed 7 July 2020]

HaïtiLibre. 28 September 2015. "Haiti - FLASH: Final Results of the 1st Round of Legislative Elections of August 9, 2015." [Accessed 7 July 2020]

HaïtiLibre. 15 May 2015. "Haiti - FLASH: Final List of Approved Candidates." [Accessed 7 July 2020]

Haïti-Référence. 3 June 2020. "2410. – Les partis politiques." [Accessed 27 June 2020]

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). 27 January 2017. " January 29 Legislative and Local Elections: Frequently Asked Questions." . [Accessed 10 July 2020]

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). 20 November 2016. " November 20 Presidential and Legislative Elections: Frequently Asked Questions." Elections in Haiti. [Accessed 10 July 2020] International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). 23 October 2015. " October 25 General Elections: Frequently Asked Questions." Elections in Haiti. [Accessed 10 July 2020]

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). 6 August 2015. " 2015 Legislative Elections: Frequently Asked Questions." Elections in Haiti. [Accessed 10 July 2020]

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). N.d.a. "About ElectionGuide." [Accessed 10 July 2020]

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). N.d.b. "Haiti." [Accessed 26 June 2020]

Le Monde with Agence France-Presse (AFP). 4 March 2020. "Haïti : Joseph Jouthe nommé premier ministre avec l'objectif de sortir le pays de la crise." [Accessed 27 June 2020]

Political Handbook of the World 2018-2019. 2019. "Haiti." Edited by Thomas Lansford. Thousand Oaks: CQ Press. [Accessed 25 June 2020]

Radio Caraïbe international (RCI). 6 March 2020. Cédric Catan. "Haïti : nouveau premier ministre et nouveau gouvernement." [Accessed 27 June 2020]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 18 November 2015. Amélie Baron. "Haïti: le parti au pouvoir en tête des élections municipales." [Accessed 10 July 2020]

United Nations (UN). 7 January 2020. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Haïti Aperçu des Besoins Humanitaires 2020. [Accessed 25 June 2020]

United Nations (UN). 9 October 2019. Security Council. United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti: Report of the Secretary-General. (S/2019/805). [Accessed 25 June 2020]

United States (US). 11 March 2020. Department of State. "Haiti." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2019. [Accessed 25 June 2020] Additional Sources Consulted Internet sites, including: ACAPS; ACE Electoral Knowledge Network; Caribbean Elections; Center for Strategic and International Studies; La Croix; ecoi.net; The Economist; Economist Intelligence Unit; France – Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères, Office français de protection des réfugiés et apatrides; Haiti – Chambre des députés, Sénat de la République d'Haïti; IDEA International; International Crisis Group; Jamaica Observer; Miami Herald; The New York Times; Le Nouvelliste; Organization of American States; Parlamericas; La Presse; Radio- Canada; Radio Métropole Haiti; Rezo Nòdwès; Union interparlementaire; UN – Refworld; US – Congressional Research Service; Université de Sherbrooke (Perspective monde).

Date modified: 2020-06-01