Sunday, 29 January, the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) of the Organization of American States (OAS), headed by Uruguayan Ambassador Juan Raúl Ferreira, observed elections for 570 local administration councils (CASEC), 568 local assemblies (ASEC) and 139 city delegates, as well as run-off votes for eight senate seats and one seat in the lower chamber.

The Mission deployed 77 observers and specialists from 21 countries who visited a total of 285 voting centers in all 10 departments of the country.

In its preliminary report, the Mission noted that all stations opened on time and had the necessary materials, but also cited administrative difficulties that generated confusion on Election Day, and barriers facing female candidates.

The OAS-EOM commends the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) for the organization of a very complex election that posed important challenges, it expresses its concerns that few citizens chose to cast their vote resulting in a low turnout, especially in urban areas.

The January 29 elections mark the end of an electoral cycle that began in 2015 and that the OAS has accompanied throughout, deploying a total of 504 observers. During the last two years, several key aspects of the electoral organization have been gradually improved, owing largely to the institutionalization of the CEP and national ownership of the electoral process. Today Haitians can have more confidence in their electoral system. The Mission invites national stakeholders to build on this momentum and engage in substantial reforms, including the cleansing of the electoral list and revision of electoral legislation.

Download the preliminary report of the EOM-OAS :

https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/eom-preliminary-report-haiti-jan30-2017en.pdf

HL/ HaitiLibre