WASHINGTON, CMC – The Organization of American States (OAS), on Wednesday, concluded discussions with a high-level delegation from Haiti and representatives from the Venice Commission on critical topics related to the security context, future electoral processes, governance, and the development of a legislative framework to support democratic stability in Haiti.
The OAS said the three-day discussions aligned with its Permanent Council Resolution CP/RES.1237, adopted on November 17, 2023.
“This in-person engagement builds on recent collaborations between the OAS and the Venice Commission as part of an ongoing initiative to help Haiti identify legislative solutions that can serve as a basis for conducting the next and future electoral processes,” the OAS said.
Following an invitation by OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro in March 2024, the OAS noted that the Venice Commission issued an “Interim Opinion on Possible Constitutional and Legislative Solutions to Conduct Future Electoral Processes” in June.
The OAS said this document, which outlines recommendations for Haiti’s electoral framework, was developed based on consultations with Haitian officials, including Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, and “addresses both constitutional and electoral reforms essential for Haiti’s democratic processes.”
In a September virtual meeting, the OAS said that its Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation, the Venice Commission, and Haitian authorities “continued the dialogue to refine this framework.”
Representatives from the Transitional Presidential Council of Haiti, the Provisional Electoral Council, the National Identification Office, and the National Conference Steering Committee attended this week’s meetings in Washington.
The purpose was “to provide an opportunity for direct dialogue among Haitian representatives, OAS officials, Venice Commission members, and Permanent and Observer Missions to the OAS.”
The OAS said discussions focused on security, financing, and the legislative framework for upcoming elections in Haiti, as well as political-electoral rights, governance, and international cooperation.
The three-day agenda also included expert sessions with electoral specialists and regional authorities, covering topics such as effective mechanisms to achieve a peaceful electoral process, strategies to organize an election in conflict zones, and overseas voting.
The OAS said these meetings and the participation of the Haitian delegation were made possible “thanks to the generous contributions of the governments of Canada, France, and the United States.”
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