# Haitian 2026 presidential election candidacies > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/haitian-2026-presidential-election-candidacies > Updated: 2026-10-23T22:37:32.000Z. Sources: 30. Developments: 6. Former presidents have begun filing candidacies for Haiti’s 2026 presidential elections. On September 16, 2026, Jocelerme Privert, who served as interim president from 2016 to 2017, registered his candidacy through the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) under the political grouping Ayiti Transfòme. Privert stated his platform aims to restore democratic order, address security crises, and provide housing for internally displaced persons. He also emphasized rebuilding schools and universities damaged by gang violence and creating employment through economic reactivation. Following this, on September 22, 2026, former president Michel Martelly filed his candidacy under the political group DEBLOKE. This move followed his registration as a voter in Pétion-Ville on August 30. The DEBLOKE coalition had previously requested guarantees from the government regarding state neutrality and electoral security. By October 17, 2026, Martelly’s electronic registration brought the total number of presidential aspirants to 16. Other prominent candidates include former Prime Minister Claude Joseph and former Speaker of the House Gary Bodeau, who is also sanctioned by the U.S. for alleged corruption. On October 23, 2026, former Pétion-Ville deputy Jerry Tardieu officially registered as the 17th candidate via the CEP online platform. Tardieu’s platform focuses on restoring national security to combat gang control and revitalizing the economy to provide opportunities for youth and businesses. Critics have noted that during his legislative tenure from 2016 to 2020, his efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution did not result in enacted changes. Martelly’s potential return to power has drawn criticism due to international sanctions. In August 2024, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned him for allegedly facilitating drug trafficking and laundering narcotics proceeds. The European Union imposed sanctions in December 2025 regarding alleged links to violence and human rights abuses. ## Claims - Michel Martelly officially submitted his presidential candidacy to the Provisional Electoral Council. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The U.S. Treasury's OFAC sanctioned Martelly in August 2024. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The European Union imposed sanctions on Martelly in December 2025. (corroborated by 9 sources) - More than 5,700 people have been killed or injured in Haiti this year due to gang violence. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Elections are tentatively scheduled for December 13. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Gary Bodeau is sanctioned by the United States for alleged corruption. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Jocelerme Privert filed his candidacy under the AYITI TRANSFÒME banner. (single source) - Samuel Joazil is a candidate for the mayoralty of Port-au-Prince. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-23: Michel Martelly files presidential candidacy in Haiti Former Haitian President Michel Martelly has officially filed his presidential candidacy via the Debloke coalition, despite existing sanctions from the U.S. and EU. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michel-martelly-officially-launches-presidential-bid-in-haiti ### 2026-10-23: Jerry Tardieu registers as 17th candidate for Haiti presidency Former deputy Jerry Tardieu has registered as Haiti's 17th presidential candidate, centering his platform on security and economic recovery amid ongoing gang violence. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jerry-tardieu-registers-as-17th-candidate-for-haiti-presidency ### 2026-10-19: Michel Martelly registers for Haitian presidency Former Haitian President Michel Martelly has registered as a presidential candidate under the Debloke coalition, bringing the total number of aspirants to 16. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michel-martelly-registers-for-haitian-presidency ### 2026-10-17: Michel Martelly registers as presidential candidate in Haiti Former Haitian President Michel Martelly has registered as a presidential candidate under the Debloke coalition, despite facing international sanctions from the US, Canada, and the EU. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michel-martelly-registers-as-presidential-candidate-in-haiti ### 2026-09-22: Michel Martelly files candidacy for Haiti's 2026 presidential election Former Haitian President Michel Martelly has filed his candidacy for the 2026 presidential election under the DEBLOKE political group, pending verification by the Provisional Electoral Council. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michel-martelly-files-candidacy-for-haitis-2026-presidential-election ### 2026-09-16: Jocelerme Privert enters 2026 Haitian presidential race Former Haitian President Jocelerme Privert has officially launched his candidacy for the 2026 presidential elections under the Ayiti Transfòme platform. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jocelerme-privert-enters-2026-haiti-presidential-race --- Cite as: Haitian 2026 presidential election candidacies. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/haitian-2026-presidential-election-candidacies