E-050/00
March 8, 2000STATEMENT FROM OAS ELECTORAL MISSION IN HAITI
Port-au-Prince. Since its arrival, the OAS Electoral Observation Mission in Haiti has been in contact with electoral officials, political party representatives and organizations representing civil society. The Mission will continue to seek the opinions and perspectives of all actors in this important process.
Given the numerous technical problems that have prevented the registration of some 30% of the electorate, the Mission acknowledges the need of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) to postpone the elections until 9 April. However, the Mission also believes the elections must be held as soon as technically feasible and believes that this date provides ample time to accomplish the remaining tasks.
Despite the many difficulties encountered in the preparations for credible and transparent elections, the Mission applauds the CEP’s efforts to include the participation of various actors, including representatives of civil society, political parties and the electorate as a whole.
Nonetheless, the Mission cautions the CEP that the extra time provided by the new electoral calendar should not be wasted. It is imperative that outstanding tasks be completed with the necessary support and participation of the Government and political parties.
The Electoral Observation Mission is confident that the following tasks will be completed before polling day in order to ensure every Haitian citizen enjoys the right to vote:
- As new materials are delivered to registration centers, electoral officials must register each
eligible voter who requests a voting card;
- Electoral lists must be displayed on the corresponding polling stations and the precise locations of each polling station must be made known to the electorate with the required advance notice;
- The political parties must present their candidates for polling station workers for nomination by the CEP;
- The CEP must ensure the polling station workers have been trained before the vote;
- The Government must continue to provide the CEP with the necessary funds to pay the polling station workers and cover other related expenses.
The Electoral Observation Mission believes that the legislative, municipal and local elections
are crucial for the development of democracy in Haiti. The Mission is confident that the Provisional Electoral Council, in collaboration with the Government and the political parties, will work diligently to allow all Haitians to avail themselves of the right to vote on 9 April.
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