Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council Defends Election Schedule and Funding

The president of Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), Jacques Desrosiers, addressed concerns about the council's ability to organise upcoming elections. He said the revised electoral budget, lowered from an initial estimate of $250 million, reflects partial cost coverage by the government and that the adopted figure does not represent the total future expenses. Desrosiers added that a budget increase remains possible if needs evolve.

He clarified that in the first round of the constitutional referendum voters will decide on specific article amendments rather than a new constitution. At least eight political groupings submitted their registration by the July 31 deadline; the CEP will review these dossiers during the week of 10‑14 August. Approval of a party does not automatically grant it the right to field candidates, as parties must also meet a 30,000‑member threshold. Observers have criticised the election timetable as overly ambitious.