Haiti's provisional electoral council announces elections for end-2026, conditional on security

A polling station in Port-au-Prince, January 29, 2017. HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP

Haiti's electoral authorities announced on Monday, July 27, that presidential and legislative elections would be held at the end of the year, contingent on "the establishment of an acceptable security climate" — a significant challenge in this poor Caribbean nation ravaged by gang violence.

Election Calendar

According to the calendar published by the provisional electoral council:

• First round: December 13, 2026
• Second round: February 21, 2027

"Compliance with these deadlines depends on the establishment of an acceptable security climate and the financial resources necessary to continue electoral operations," the statement noted.

Background

The Haitian state has not held elections since 2016. The country's last president, Jovenel Moïse, assassinated in 2021, has not been replaced. In December 2025, authorities had announced a first round for August 30, 2026 — a calendar that has already become obsolete.

International Reaction

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) welcomed the new announcement, describing it as "an essential step" that "was eagerly awaited by Haitian stakeholders and the international community."

Key Deadlines

The published calendar outlines the following milestones:

• Voter registration: Began July 20, 2026 (last week)
• Candidate submission deadline: October 2, 2026 (for presidential, legislative, and local elections)

"The publication of the calendar will undoubtedly accelerate the essential preparatory stages of the ongoing electoral process, such as the registration of political parties, platforms, and coalitions, as well as voter registration," the institution stated.

Ongoing Crisis

Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has long suffered a political, economic, and security crisis. The situation has deteriorated significantly in recent years, with gangs responsible for:

• Murders
• Kidnappings
• Rapes
• Child recruitment

The violence has displaced nearly 1.5 million people from their homes out of approximately 11 million inhabitants, according to a June estimate by the International Organization for Migration, which noted that attacks are not limited to the capital.