ARTICLE - PM - UPCOMING ELECTIONS

UPCOMING ELECTIONS, FIRST WORKING MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER
(Haiti Libre) -

In May 2012, the term of one third of the Senate [10 senators] (1) will expire, and they will have to leave their posts, which might disrupt the Parliament, if the seats are not filled.

After having promised in December 2011, to initiate discussions with political parties for the establishment of an Electoral Council, the Executive seems to have finally decided to consider the organization of the senatorial, municipal and local government elections.

This week, the Prime Minister, Garry Conille, met with leaders of five political parties [Rally of Progressive National Democrats (RDNP), the Christian Movement for a New Haiti(Mochrena), the Fusion of Social Democrats, the Organization of People in Struggle (OPL) and the party Konvention Inité Demokratik (KID], around the process of a formation of a Provisional Electoral Council (CEP).

The proposals on the manner to constitute the next CEP, were not wanting and did not come only from political leaders but also from the Prime Minister, who wants to achieve the best elections in Haiti's history. Professor Sauveur Pierre Etienne, General Coordinator of OPL expressed some reservations. "OPL will participate in the elections, if there is the establishment of an Electoral Council that is credible, transparent, and above suspicion." For his part, Paul Evans, the leader of KID desires a forum to find a consensus formula for the selection of electoral advisers.

Other aspects such as funding of political parties, electronic voting, the issue of financing of political parties, and the modification of the electoral law were also discussed at the working meeting, at the official residence of the Prime Minister. The question of the electoral calendar has not been addressed.

This consultation is the first of a series that the Chief of Government proposes to undertake with different sectors of the national life.

(1) List of Senators whose term ends in May 2012:

Artibonite : Youri Latortue (AAA)
Centre : Edmonde Supplice Beauzile (ALTERNATIVE)
Grande Anse : Michel Clérié (ALTERNATIVE)
Nippes : Nenel Cassy (INITE)
Nord : Kely Bastien (NITE)
Nord-Est : Jean Rodolph Joazile (ALTERNATIVE)
Nord-Ouest : Evallière Beauplan (PONT)
Ouest : Anacacis Jean Hector (INITE)
Sud : Yvon Buissereth (INITE)
Sud-Est : Joseph LAMBERT (INITE)