Voter registration commenced Thursday in Haiti's capital and other areas, a significant development in the country's ongoing efforts to hold general elections. However, persistent concerns over pervasive gang violence loom over the process, raising questions about the potential inclusivity and safety of the elections.
The Haitian government has opened 10 voter registration centers in Port-au-Prince, primarily in neighborhoods deemed relatively secure. Dozens of citizens have begun the registration process, with some expressing hope for a better future under new leadership.
Haiti has not conducted general elections in over a decade. The nation has been without a president since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. Gang violence has escalated significantly since then, and the country's unelected prime minister faces pressure to organize elections, with the first round tentatively scheduled for December 13.
Gang violence has displaced more than 1.4 million people. Armed groups are reported to control an estimated 70% of Port-au-Prince and key roads connecting to the Central and Artibonite provinces, regions that are also experiencing conflict. More than half of Haiti's electorate resides in these three areas, making it uncertain if all eligible voters will be able to register, let alone cast ballots, due to the prevailing insecurity.
Diego Da Rin, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, noted that while police and a U.N.-backed mission have reclaimed some areas near the National Palace and made other progress, powerful gangs continue to hold substantial territory. He warned that if elections are insisted upon for December 13, a significant portion of the electorate could be excluded. Da Rin added that substantial progress in disarming gangs has not been made, and the government may not be able to organize elections in gang-controlled territories.
Jacques Desrosiers, president of Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council, indicated plans to expand the number of registration centers in the coming weeks, including 20 in Pétion-Ville, which is considered one of the safer areas. He stated that the possibility of opening centers in other communities is dependent on the Haitian government.
Some citizens expressed skepticism about the feasibility and purpose of the elections. Lawyer Francky Cavetan stated he would not vote due to safety risks, although he visited a registration center out of curiosity. He asserted that elections would not occur because the government and electoral council are misleading the public, arguing that security must precede elections.
Violence has taken a heavy toll on Haiti. According to United Nations figures, over 5,900 people were killed last year, and more than 1,600 died between January and March of this year. The U.N. also reported 5,500 gender-based violence incidents in the first half of the year, with a significant percentage involving gang rapes.
Cavetan also raised concerns about how candidates would campaign and pointed out that many Haitians are unaware they will also be asked to vote on a constitutional referendum alongside the elections. He criticized the lack of clear explanations regarding the proposed constitutional changes.
Da Rin echoed these concerns, stating that the public remains uninformed about the government's proposed constitutional amendments. He identified safety as the primary challenge for authorities aiming to conduct elections without having neutralized the gangs and minimizing their influence.
Da Rin further highlighted ongoing links between gangs and powerful elites in Haiti, a historical practice where gangs have been employed to intimidate voters, sway election outcomes, or destroy ballot boxes when elite-backed candidates were perceived to be losing. He described gangs as a significant tool for elites to ensure their candidates' electoral success.
At one registration center in the Laboule community, only three people had registered an hour after opening. Victor Valensky, a bus driver, was among them. Despite his anger over the country's situation and fear of gang violence, he sought to participate. Valensky emphasized the need for personal safety, stating he would exercise extreme caution on election day to ensure he could support his family.