Haiti's top police official has confirmed that a strategy is actively being formulated to conduct general elections within the current year, even as the Caribbean nation grapples with escalating gang violence that has crippled security and displaced over a million citizens.
Election Timeline and Planning Details
André Jonas Vladimir Paraison, the interim head of Haiti's National Police, informed The Associated Press on Friday that government authorities remain committed to their pledge of organising elections in 2026. The government has previously outlined intentions to schedule the general election for late August, with a potential runoff occurring in early December.
Paraison employed a culinary metaphor to describe the current state of preparations, stating, "We have a plan for the election, but it's still in the kitchen and has not finished cooking yet." He declined to elaborate on specific operational details but assured that further information would be released imminently. When directly questioned about Haiti's readiness to host elections this year, the police chief tactfully avoided providing a definitive answer.
Electoral Council Announces Registration Period
In a related development, Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council declared on Friday that the registration window for political parties and their candidates will commence on March 2 and conclude on March 12. This marks a critical step towards reactivating the democratic process in a country that has not witnessed a general election for more than a decade.
Severe Security Challenges and Humanitarian Crisis
The persistent gang violence, which has intensified since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, presents a monumental obstacle to any electoral proceedings. Paraison acknowledged that Haiti's security situation has "exploded," with police officers striving to reestablish order so that citizens can resume normal lives.
Armed gangs currently dominate an estimated 90% of Port-au-Prince, the national capital, and have seized extensive territories in the central regions. This violence has forcibly displaced a record 1.4 million people within a population of nearly 12 million, while compelling thousands of businesses and hundreds of schools to shut down permanently.
United Nations statistics reveal a grim toll: more than 5,900 individuals were reported killed last year, with over 2,700 injured. The police force itself is critically understaffed, operating with fewer than two officers per 1,000 inhabitants, which falls significantly below international standards.
Police Operations and International Support
Despite these constraints, Paraison has overseen recent operations within gang-controlled territories, reclaiming strategic areas such as the Carrefour-Aéroport intersection. Police communications have increasingly included statements detailing the number of suspected gang members neutralised during these missions.
Paraison highlighted the formidable arsenal possessed by these gangs, noting, "Don't forget, Haiti doesn't make weapons. The weapons here come from somewhere else." Experts estimate that up to half a million small arms may be circulating in Haiti, with a 2023 UN report identifying increasingly sophisticated weaponry, including .50 caliber sniper rifles and belt-fed machine guns, being smuggled primarily from the United States, especially Florida.
Haiti's National Police are collaborating with a UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police, which has struggled with inadequate funding and personnel shortages while combating gang activities. This mission is anticipated to be replaced by a specialised gang suppression force in the coming months.
Future Prospects and Police Expansion
Paraison expressed his aspiration to augment the police force to enhance protection for Haitian citizens. He recently supervised the graduation of nearly 900 cadets but emphasised that additional recruits are urgently required to address the security deficit effectively.
The success of any electoral plan will hinge on the ability to mitigate gang influence and restore a semblance of stability across the nation, a challenge that remains daunting amidst the current crisis.
