Presidential elections were held in Haiti on 20 November 2016 after having been postponed several times.[1] The elections were overseen by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP),[2] and were held using the two-round system, with a second round scheduled for 29 January 2017 if no candidate received an absolute majority of the votes in the first round (50% plus one vote). However, on 27 November election officials announced that, according to preliminary results, Jovenel Moïse had won the election in the first round with more than 50% of the vote. Voter turnout, in the election held 6 weeks after Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti, was reported to be 21%.[3] Jovenel Moïse assumed office on 7 February 2017, and was assassinated on 7 July 2021.[2]
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| Registered | 6,189,253 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Turnout | 18.11% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results by department Moïse: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% |
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Background edit
Following massive protests arising from the 2015 election, the runoff election originally scheduled to be held on 27 December 2015 was postponed several times, with the last one scheduled to be held in October 2016.[4] However, the Conseil Electoral Provisoire (CEP) announced on 5 April 2016 that fresh elections would be held on 9 October with a possible runoff on 8 January 2017. The first round planned for 9 October was subsequently postponed due to the passage of Hurricane Matthew.[5]
Electoral system edit
The President of Haiti is elected using the two-round system, with a second round held if no candidate wins a majority of the vote in the first round.
Candidates edit
A total of 27 candidates ran for president, but only six actively campaigned and were seen as serious contenders: Edmonde Supplice Beauzile (Fusion Social Democrats), Jean-Henry Céant (Renmen Ayiti, "Love Haiti"), Jude Célestin (LAPEH/Peace), Jean-Charles Moïse (Pitit Desalin), Jovenel Moïse (Parti Haïtien Tèt Kale), and Maryse Narcisse (Fanmi Lavalas).[6] Each of the six, except for Beauzile, "have had strong ties to one or more of the former elected presidents: Michel Martelly, René Préval and Jean-Bertrand Aristide."[6]
Opinion polls edit
| Pollster | Dates administered | Moïse (PHTK) |
Célestin (LAPEH) |
Moïse (Pitit Dessalin) |
Narcisse (Fanmi Lavalas) |
Céant (Renmen Ayiti) |
Supplice (Fusion) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRIDES | 13–16 November 2016 | 54.5% | 20.7% | 11.6% | 6.7% | 1.0% | 0.7% |
| BRIDES | 28 September–1 October 2016 | 54% | 23.3% | 12.0% | 7.0% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| BRIDES | 8–15 August 2016 | 41% | 25.2% | 12.5% | 7.6% | 1.8% | 0.6% |
Results edit
Supporters of Maryse Narcisse claimed early reports indicated a close race between her and Jovenel Moïse.[7] While counting was still ongoing, both Moïse's Haitian Tèt Kale Party (PHTK) party and Narcisse's Fanmi Lavalas party claimed victory, although official results were not yet issued and the CEP's cautioned against making such claims.[8]
Jovenel Moïse won more than double the votes of any other candidate and more than half of all votes, avoiding the need for a second round.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jovenel Moïse | Haitian Tèt Kale Party | 590,927 | 55.60 | |
| Jude Célestin | Alternative League for Haitian Progress and Emancipation | 207,988 | 19.57 | |
| Jean-Charles Moïse | Platfòm Pitit Desalin | 117,349 | 11.04 | |
| Maryse Narcisse | Fanmi Lavalas | 95,765 | 9.01 | |
| Jean-Henry Céant | Renmen Ayiti | 8,014 | 0.75 | |
| Edmonde Suppice Beauzile | Fusion of Haitian Social Democrats | 6,770 | 0.64 | |
| Maxo Joseph | Randevou | 5,336 | 0.50 | |
| Amos André | Front Uni pour la Renaissance d’Haïti | 2,270 | 0.21 | |
| Jean Hervé Charles | Parti pour l’Evolution Nationale Haïtienne | 1,974 | 0.19 | |
| Joseph Harry Bretous | Konbit Pour Ayiti | 1,803 | 0.17 | |
| Marie Antoinette Gauthier | Plan d'Action Citoyenne | 1,791 | 0.17 | |
| Jean Clarens Renois | Unir-Ayiti-Ini | 1,681 | 0.16 | |
| Daniel Dupiton | Cohésion Nationale des Partis Politiques Haïtiens | 1,305 | 0.12 | |
| Gérard Dalvius | Parti Alternative pour le Développement d'Haïti | 1,208 | 0.11 | |
| Kesler Dalmacy | MOPANOU | 999 | 0.09 | |
| Jean Bertin | Mouvement d'Union République | 984 | 0.09 | |
| Jean Ronald Cornely | Rassemblement des Patriotes Haïtiens | 980 | 0.09 | |
| Marc-Arthur Drouillard | National Unity Party | 970 | 0.09 | |
| Jean Poincy | Résultat | 963 | 0.09 | |
| Jacques Sampeur | Konbit Liberasyon Ekonomik | 953 | 0.09 | |
| Jean-Chavannes Jeune | CANAAN | 936 | 0.09 | |
| Joseph G. Varnel Durandisse | Retabli Ayiti | 881 | 0.08 | |
| Roland Magloire | Parti Démocrate Institutionnaliste | 817 | 0.08 | |
| Vilaire Clunny Duroseau | Mouveman pou Endepandans Kiltirel Sosyal Ekonomik ak Politik an Ayiti | 796 | 0.07 | |
| Monestime Diony | Independent | 751 | 0.07 | |
| Luckner Désir | Mobilisation pour Haïti | 739 | 0.07 | |
| Nelson Flecourt | Olah Baton jenès la | 686 | 0.06 | |
| None of the above | 7,203 | 0.68 | ||
| Total | 1,062,839 | 100.00 | ||
| Valid votes | 1,062,839 | 94.84 | ||
| Invalid/blank votes | 57,824 | 5.16 | ||
| Total votes | 1,120,663 | 100.00 | ||
| Registered voters/turnout | 6,189,253 | 18.11 | ||
| Source: Haiti Libre[9] | ||||
Reactions edit
The United States, Haiti's largest international donor, welcomed the holding of elections.[8] U.S. Department of States spokesman John Kirby said following the first round that the U.S. viewed the elections "as an important step toward returning Haiti to fill constitutional rule and addressing the serious challenges the country faces," but noted that the election had some "isolated incidents of violence and intimidation."[10][11]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Hersher, Rebecca (5 October 2016). "Haiti's Presidential Election Delayed In Wake Of Hurricane". NPR. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
- ^ a b Joseph Guyler Delva, Tensions mount as Haiti waits on re-run election results Reuters, 21 November 2016
- ^ Jacqueline Charles (November 28, 2016). "Banana farmer wins Haiti presidency, according to preliminary results". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ^ Guyler Delva, Joseph (25 April 2016). "Haiti says election could drag on for months, protests grow". Reuters. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ "Haiti - FLASH : The elections of October 9 postponed". Haiti Libre. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
- ^ a b Jacqueline Charles, Of Haiti’s 27 presidential contenders, six have the best shot at the seat, Miami Herald (November 18, 2016).
- ^ Early Haiti election returns indicate close race between Moise and Narcisse Deutsche Welle, 21 November 2016
- ^ a b Rival parties claim victory in Haiti’s presidential election France24, 22 November 2016
- ^ "Haiti - Presidential 2016 : Final Results, Jovenel Moïse 58th President - HaitiLibre.com : Haiti news 7/7". www.haitilibre.com.
- ^ "Haitians Await Preliminary Results from Sunday's Election". Voice of America. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ Toward a Return to Constitutional Rule in Haiti (press statement), United States Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs (November 21, 2016).