Haiti reiterates February 2026 as the scheduled date for new government

Haitian officials have reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a newly elected government by February 7, 2026.

This was emphasized during high-level meetings held from October 28 to 30, which brought together a Haitian delegation and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe. The Organization of American States (OAS), through its Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation (DECO), facilitated these discussions to outline the essential constitutional and legislative measures required for the upcoming elections.

These meetings form part of ongoing initiatives under OAS Permanent Council Resolution 1237, aimed at supporting Haiti in addressing its political challenges. In June 2024, at the request of OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, the Venice Commission provided an interim opinion with potential constitutional and legislative recommendations to aid Haiti’s future electoral process.

While preliminary, this opinion highlighted the pressing need for an inclusive and secure electoral environment and reiterated that Haitians themselves must lead the decision-making process on the timeline and solutions to the ongoing crisis.

Haitian authorities detailed their roadmap for achieving the February 2026 inauguration and outlined the interim steps needed to reach this goal. One major focus of the discussions was the restoration of security, deemed vital for holding both the proposed constitutional referendum and subsequent elections.

The National Conference Steering Committee will begin a national consultation on constitutional reform on November 7, 2024. The committee aims to draft a new Constitution by December 2024, which will be shared with the public ahead of a planned referendum in March 2025.

The Venice Commission has offered to review the draft and provide recommendations, while DECO stands ready to offer technical support as needed.

Haitian officials have pledged to maintain open communication with both the public and international partners throughout these reform efforts. The Venice Commission, OAS, and Haitian representatives have committed to continuing transparent dialogue and developing a roadmap for post-referendum support.

A comprehensive final opinion from the Venice Commission on constitutional and legislative solutions for Haiti’s electoral framework is expected by December 2024. This opinion will address the key points discussed in the meetings, such as electoral stability, representation of women and youth, diaspora voting, electronic voting, political financing, voter security, and the safeguarding of electoral materials.

The outcomes of these discussions are expected to be released next week, marking a collaborative advance in Haiti’s pursuit of democratic governance.