Haiti faces voter registration challenges ahead of elections

Haiti is facing significant challenges in mobilizing voters for upcoming elections due to a slow registration process. Nearly two months after the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) launched the registration drive on July 20, fewer than 600,000 individuals have registered. This figure represents less than 7% of Haiti’s estimated 7.7 million citizens aged 18 and older.

The CEP aims to register between 3 million and 4 million voters—roughly 35% to 50% of the voting-age population—before the registration period ends on October 13. The current electoral calendar schedules presidential and legislative elections for December 13, with a potential second round and local elections on February 21, 2027.

Efforts to restore elected authorities have been repeatedly hindered by political disputes, insecurity, natural disasters, funding shortages, and institutional weaknesses. Haiti has not held a nationwide election since 2016, and the current registration difficulties are compounded by escalating gang violence and a humanitarian crisis.