After the advocacy organizations for human rights and political parties last week, the CEP met this week the religious sector around the electoral process but especially around the use of witnesses to the polls on October 9, 2016 and January 8, 2017.

Léopold Berlanger, President of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) explained to the religious representatives the procedure relating to the use of witnesses, on voting day, a provision of this Electoral Council https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17726-haiti-news-zapping-politics.html which will observe those observing. Among the detailed points: the witnesses admission criteria, the method of recruitment, their role, their mission, their rights and duties.

In the partnership designed to the deployment of witnesses, religious organizations are responsible for identifying credible community organizations entitled to designate these potential witnesses, the constitution of lists for draw and training of selected witnesses.

For its part, the CEP will be responsible for the organization of the draw at the BEC, the preparation of the training module and issuing accreditation cards.

Religious leaders have expressed concerns including on the deadline and the safety of witnesses. Moreover, taking into account the different views expressed on the issue of witnesses, the Electoral Council and the religious representatives, agreed to change its name to "Community observers".

HL/ HaitiLibre