Haiti plans to hold referendum on new constitution

President Jovenel Moïse has announced plans for a national debate on a new constitution for the country ahead of a referendum on the new document early next year.

Moïse, who had late last month sworn in the members of the Independent Advisory Committee for the development of the draft of the new constitution, said that the draft constitution will be debated.

“All citizens will have to read the text. The debates will last a month or a month-and-a-half. After the debates, there will be a referendum on the final text between February and March 2021,” he added.

Moïse had earlier recalled that he had campaigned on constitutional reforms and, as a result of his victory, Haitians had voted to make changes to the existing constitution. He said following the referendum, regardless of the outcome, he will organize the elections for the country.

“I will organize the elections under the aegis of the old constitution. But if the people vote, ‘Yes’, I will organize the elections under the aegis of the new constitution,” he added.

The Moïse administration has been under pressure to hold overdue legislative elections as soon as possible. – (CMC)