Monday, less than 24 hours after the convocation of the population in elections https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-13391-haiti-flash-the-president-of-the-republic-convenes-the-people-to-elections.html , the Government and the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) have expressed deep concerns about the security of the upcoming elections in some departments.

Jean Fritz Jean-Louis, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister for electoral matters said Monday that the lack of troops of MINUSTAH in 6 of the 10 departments, represents a "danger" to the success of the forthcoming elections "The withdrawal of UN troops in these regions during the elections is a big concern, not only for the government but also for various countries and other partners supporting the electoral process," said Jean-Louis Monday. According to the Minister, this situation is consecutive to the implementation by MINUSTAH of its gradual withdrawal plan of its military troops scheduled to be completed in two years, adding "It is true that we want to nationalize the election process for the country and its inhabitants can fully assume the responsibility and deal with all aspects of the organization of elections [.. .] but this must be done in a way that allows us, first to overcome our weaknesses."

Recall that on January 25 during a visit to Haiti of the members of the delegation of the United Nations Security Council, Pierre Richard Casimir, the Minister of Justice and Public Safety, had asked to maintain and strengthen staffing of MINUSTAH in Haiti "In the name of the president, the head of government and myself, I reiterate to the United Nations Security Council our request that it maintain its troop levels. On the contrary, their presence is needed to reinforce the UN mission's contingents during preparations to hold elections [...] In Haiti, like elsewhere, the electoral period is sometimes marked by tension and discord..." https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-13032-haiti-security-the-government-asked-the-maintenance-and-strengthening-of-the-minustah.html

Local election officials are also concerned about the lack of troops of MINUSTAH in areas like the Northeast, Northwest, Central, Grand Anse, Nippes and Southeast regions. During the elections, UN soldiers will only be deployed (for the moment) in the North, Artibonite, South and West.

"It is also very bad news for the electoral process, because the UN was so fundamental to the security of elections as well as logistics system in Haiti in recent years," said the Electoral Adviser Néhémie Joseph, Representative of Peasant Sector / Voodoo. Adding, "At this point, we do not see how we will do without the UN, since we do not have a good alternative," recalling in particular that "all ballots and other sensitive electoral materials are generally secured and transported across the country in the voting centers [1,800]. It's a big operation and the UN mission uses its own staff with the necessary experience and its own budget to do it."

SL/ HaitiLibre