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(Haiti Wire) – Haitian officials, in collaboration with the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, have reaffirmed their commitment to inaugurating a newly elected government by February 7, 2026. This goal was emphasized in high-level meetings held from October 28 to 30, with a Haitian delegation and representatives from the Venice Commission and OAS discussing critical measures for advancing Haiti’s electoral and constitutional processes.
During the meetings, the OAS and Venice Commission pledged ongoing support to assist Haiti in building a secure, inclusive legal framework to enable fair elections. As part of this effort, the Venice Commission shared insights on constitutional reforms and legislative adjustments needed to bolster Haiti’s electoral landscape. An interim opinion released in June 2024 highlighted the need for an electoral process that is secure, representative, and aligned with international standards, with Haitian-led decisions at its core.
To achieve the February 2026 target, Haitian authorities outlined a sequence of preparatory steps, emphasizing that establishing security remains a top priority for holding both a constitutional referendum and the elections. The National Steering Committee is set to launch a public consultation on constitutional reforms beginning November 7, with a draft of the proposed constitution expected by late December 2024. This draft will be reviewed by the public ahead of a planned referendum in March 2025.
The Venice Commission, as an advisory body on constitutional matters within the Council of Europe, has offered to provide recommendations on the draft constitution. Additionally, the OAS Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation (DECO) remains available to offer technical assistance throughout the process, as requested by Haitian authorities.
Path to Reform and Engagement with the Public
In a joint statement, the OAS and Venice Commission emphasized that the constitutional reform and electoral framework are being developed with full engagement from Haitian authorities, who are committed to ensuring transparency and ongoing communication with citizens and international partners.
The upcoming opinion from the Venice Commission, expected by December 2024, will provide further guidance on key areas discussed during the meetings, such as electoral institution stability, gender and youth representation, diaspora voting rights, electronic voting, political party financing, and security measures for the voting process.
With backing from the governments of Canada, France, and the United States, which funded the meetings, the OAS continues to work closely with Haitian leaders to support their efforts toward democratic restoration. Outcomes from these discussions are anticipated to be published in the coming week, marking another step forward in Haiti’s progress toward constitutional reform and electoral stability.
