PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (CMC)—The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) says Haitians will vote in the first round of presidential and legislative elections on December 13 this year.

The elections will be the first since 2016 when Haitians elected Jovenel Moise as the country’s president. Moise was later assassinated on July 7, 2021, by armed groups including mercenaries at his private residence overlooking the capital, Port au Prince.

The Eminent Persons Group (EPG) of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) says it welcomes the publication of the electoral calendar by the CEP.

In a statement, the CEP has set aside February 21 next year for the runoff ending months of speculation as to whether the French-speaking Caricom country would be able to stage an election in a country where criminal gangs control a significant portion of the capital. The February second round is also for local government elections.

“The first round includes presidential and legislative elections as well as a popular vote on proposed constitutional reforms,” the CEP said in the statement, adding that the calendar depended on “The establishment of an acceptable security climate and the necessary funds to pursue electoral operations.”

According to the revised calendar, published on Monday after being submitted to the government four days earlier, it replaces a previous timetable that had scheduled the first round of elections for August 30 and the runoff for December 6.

The CEP withdrew the calendar in April at the government’s request while officials revised the country’s electoral framework to align it with a National Pact for Security and the Organization of Elections signed with political stakeholders, and constitutional reform plans.

Under the new schedule, final election results are expected by March 7, with newly elected officials taking office by March 12, 2027. But the CEP is warning that elections can proceed only if several conditions are met.

The CEP said that the government must restore security nationwide to allow voters, candidates, election workers and materials to move safely. It also stressed the need to secure the funding necessary to organise the elections.

“These prerequisites are essential to meeting the proposed timeline and organising credible, inclusive and transparent elections,” the CEP said.

In a July 20 memorandum the coalition Forces Politiques et Sociales de l’Opposition Progressiste, which includes dozens of political parties, accused the CEO of advancing isolated electoral steps without presenting a comprehensive roadmap.

“Without a serious electoral calendar, logistical planning, voter registration, the acquisition of sensitive materials, and the training of polling station staff become impossible. The absence of a precise timeline fuels skepticism among the population and opposition actors,” the coalition said.

Earlier this month, the CEP and government agreed on a proposed US$120 million election budget, but it has yet to receive Cabinet approval or be officially published. Authorities have not disclosed how the funding will be secured or how much international partners are expected to contribute.

Earlier this month, the CEP 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.