Haiti Has Not Held Elections Since 2016. Its Last President, Jovenel Moise, Was Assassinated in 2021, After Delaying a Vote

Haiti's electoral council has scheduled the country's first presidential election in a decade for December 13, with a runoff planned for late February, after postponing an earlier timetable due to security fears. The vote remains contingent on improved security and funding, as widespread gang violence continues to cast doubt over whether the long-delayed electoral process can proceed as planned. Issued on: 27/07/2026 - 21:36 Modified: 27/07/2026 - 21:37 Haiti 's CEP electoral council on Monday scheduled the first presidential elections in a decade for December with a runoff in February, after plans to hold the vote in August with a December runoff were postponed over security concerns.

Haiti has not held elections since 2016. Its last president, Jovenel Moise, was assassinated in 2021, after delaying a vote. Successive governments have been tasked with holding an election but said insecurity amid a conflict with powerful armed gangs made it impossible. vote on February 21. It also set the publication of final results for March 7. Citizens are also expected to vote on changes to the constitution and for local representatives, the calendar showed.

The council highlighted that the calendar depended on "the establishment of an acceptable security climate and the necessary funds to pursue electoral operations". Earlier this month, the council said it had begun registering voters and training electoral security agents, and published a definitive list of over 300 political parties approved to compete in the coming electoral process. Ongoing gang violence has made analysts sceptical that new election dates will remain in place.

The ripple effects include chronic food shortages, extortion, ransom kidnappings and forced displacements, piling on even more challenges to ensuring a free, fair vote. Some 12% of Haiti's population live in makeshift camps or with host families.