2015 Haitian presidential election

Last updated

2015 Haitian presidential election
Flag of Haiti.svg
←  2010–11 25 October 2015 February 2016  →
Registered5,871,450
Turnout28.49%
  Jovenel Moise.jpg Jude Celestin.jpg
Nominee Jovenel Moïse Jude Célestin
Party Haitian Tèt Kale Party LAPEH
Popular vote508,761392,782
Percentage32.76%25.29%
President before election

Michel Martelly
Repons Peyizan

Elected President

Election results annulled
Jovenel Moïse elected in 2016

Contents

Presidential elections were held in Haiti on 25 October 2015, alongside local elections and the second round of the legislative elections. [1] Incumbent President Michel Martelly was constitutionally barred from running. As no candidate received a majority of the vote in the first round, a runoff was to be held on 27 December 2015. [2] On 22 December the Conseil Electoral Provisoire (CEP) announced that the runoff has been postponed indefinitely. [3] However, on 1 January 2016 President Michel Martelly announced that the runoff would be held on 17 January, [4] but on 7 January the President changed the date to 24 January. On 20 January, Jude Célestin issued a statement that calls "whatever the person who will participate in this January 24 [runoff], is a traitor to the Nation". [5] Because of rioting and electoral violence, on 22 January the CEP decided to postpone the second round again, with no specific date given, [6] even after President Michel Martelly confirmed the previous day in a nationwide speech that the election should still take place. [7] The run-off date was later agreed to take place on 24 April 2016. [8]

After the preliminary results were published on 25 October 2015, Jude Célestin said he did not recognize them. His criticism was joined by five other presidential candidates. They issued a joint statement denouncing the results as "anti-democratic" and called for the people's vote to be respected. Martelly openly declared his support for Moïse. [9] The supporters of Célestin protested in the streets, together with the supporters of Jean-Charles Moïse's Platfom Pitit Desalin and supporters of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's Fanmi Lavalas party the presidential candidate of which, Maryse Narcisse, finished fourth behind Jean-Charles Moïse and also denounced the results during a news conference. The protesters threw rocks and burned tires. The police responded with tear gas and made some arrests. The police also stopped and searched the vehicle of a former top government prosecutor, Claudy Gassant, who is a supporter of Moïse. [10]

Amid allegations of fraud in the 2015 elections, Martelly resigned the presidency on 10 February 2016, leaving Haiti without a president for a week. The National Assembly elected on 17 February 2016 Jocelerme Privert as provisional President. [11] [12] Privert formed a month-long verification commission to restore legitimacy to the electoral process. In May 2016, the commission audited about 13,000 ballots and determined that the elections had been dishonest and recommended a complete rerun of the election. [13] [14]

On 5 April 2016, the CEP announced that a rerun of the presidential election is to take place on 9 October 2016, alongside the second round of the parliamentary elections that has been suspended and the first round for a third of the Senate. [15]

Candidates

Seventy candidates were initially in the race, including 64 men and six women. [16] Two candidates, Mario Andresol and Diony Monestime, ran as independents. [16] As of 28 May 2015, 41 challenges had been filed against 23 of the 70 candidates, including Andresol and former Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe. [17] The Departmental Bureau of Electoral Disputes heard those disputes, to determine whether those individuals would be excluded from the presidential race. [18]

The final list of 58 candidates was published on 12 June, [19] but in the following days two candidates were removed; Jacky Lumarque (Verité) and Level Francois (Parti de la Diaspora Haitienne pour Haiti), making a new total of 56 candidates. [20]

Results

According to preliminary results posted by the Provisional Electoral Council, Jovenel Moïse obtained 32.81% of the preferences, and Jude Célestin won 25.27%. [21] Voter turnout was reportedly 28.8%.

After the preliminary results were published on 25 October 2015, six candidates disputed the election and denouncing the results as “anti-democratic”. A runoff was initially scheduled for 27 December 2015, [22] but on 22 December the Conseil Electoral Provisoire announced that the runoff was being postponed indefinitely. [3] On 5 April 2016, the CEP announced that a rerun of the presidential election was to take place on 9 October 2016.

CandidatePartyVotes%
Jovenel Moïse Haitian Tèt Kale Party 508,76132.76
Jude Célestin Alternative League for Haitian Progress and Emancipation 392,78225.29
Jean-Charles Moïse Platfòm Pitit Desalin 222,10914.30
Maryse Narcisse Fanmi Lavalas 108,8447.01
Eric Jean Baptiste Socialist Action Movement 56,4273.63
Jean-Henry Céant Renmen Ayiti38,8982.50
Sauveur Pierre Étienne Struggling People's Organization 30,1441.94
Irvenson Steven BenoitKonviksyon17,7961.15
Steeve Khawly Réseau Bouclier National16,7521.08
Samuel MadistinMouvement Patriotique Populaire Dessalinien13,6400.88
Jean-Chavannes JeuneCanaan10,4770.67
Maxo JosephRassemblement des Nationaux Democrates Volontaires pour l'Unité Salvatrice8,9140.57
Jean Clarens RenoisUnion Nationale pour l'Integrité et la Reconciliation8,8190.57
Chavannes Jean BaptisteKonbit Travaye Peyizan pou Libere Haiti7,4120.48
Mario Andresol Independent7,2390.47
Beauzile Edmone Supplice Fusion of Haitian Social Democrats 5,8760.38
Amos AndréFront Uni Pour la Renaissance d'Haiti4,8880.31
Aviol FleurantNouvelle Haiti4,8860.31
Jean Bony AlexandreConcorde Nationale4,4930.29
Daniel DupitonCohésion Nationale des Partis Politiques Haitiens3,7390.24
Renold Jean Claude Bazin Christian Movement for a New Haiti 3,5700.23
Michel Fred BrutusParti Federaliste3,1770.20
Joseph G. Varnel DurandisseRetabli Ayiti2,8090.18
Charles Henri Baker Respect 2,7800.18
Marie Antoinette GautierPlan d'Action Citoyenne2,7690.18
Yves DanielPati Kreyol Nouye2,7150.17
Jephthé LucienParti Socialiste Unifie Haitien2,5440.16
Simon Dieuseul DesrasPlateforme Politique Palmis2,4590.16
Westner PolycarpeMouvman Revolisyone Ayisyen2,3160.15
Jean Hervé CharlesParti pour l'Evolution Nationale Haitienne2,1480.14
Jean Paleme MathurinPlateforme Politique G182,1420.14
Jacques SampeurKonbit Liberasyon Ekonomik2,1110.14
Mathias PierreKonsyans Patriyotik1,9390.12
Joseph Harry BretousKonbit pou Ayiti1,9020.12
Dalvius GerardParti Alternative pour le Développement d'Haiti1,7170.11
Michelet NestorCoalition pour la Convention de la Reconstruction de la Réconciliation des Citoyens Haitiens1,7110.11
Fresnel LarosliereMouvement pour l'Instauration de la Démocratie en Haiti1,6980.11
Newton Louis St JusteFwon Revolisyone pou Entegrasyon Mas Yo1,6770.11
Jean Wiener TheageneParti pour la Rénovation d'Haiti1,5430.10
Michel AndréPlateforme Jistis1,2700.08
Rene JulienAction Democratique pour Batir Haiti1,2450.08
Vilaire Cluny DuroseauMouveman pou Endepandans Kiltirel Sosyal Ekonomik ak Politik an Ayiti1,2050.08
Antoine JosephDelivrans1,1600.07
Jean Ronald CornelyRassemblement des Patriotes Haitiens1,1590.07
Jean BertinMouvement d'Union Republicaine1,1310.07
Marc-Arthur Drouillard National Unity Party 9290.06
Roland MagloireParti Démocrate Institutionnaliste9160.06
Emmanuel Joseph Georges BrunetPlateforme Politique Entrenou8820.06
Jean PoncyRégénération Economique et Sociale dans l'Unité et la Liberté Totale d'Action pour Tous8580.06
Kesler DalmacyMopanou8080.05
Diony MonestimeIndependent7580.05
Nelson FlecourtOlahh Baton Jenes La7570.05
Joe Marie Judie RoyRegroupement Patriotique pour le Renouveau National6780.04
Luckner DesirMobilisation pour le Progrès d'Haiti5910.04
Against all22,1611.43
Total1,553,131100.00
Valid votes1,553,13192.84
Invalid/blank votes119,8007.16
Total votes1,672,931100.00
Registered voters/turnout5,871,45028.49
Source: CEP, IFES

Aftermath

Amid declarations of fraud and numerous delays of an elected government, the Provisional President Jocelerme Privet created a verification commission in May 2016 to audit the results of the August 2015 legislative elections and first round of the presidential elections. [23] On 30 May 2016 the commission, headed by Pierre François Benoît, issued a report recommending the election be redone citing findings of significant fraud.

While Haiti-based organizations found innumerable counts of fraud and proof of unfair elections on October 25, international observers endorsed the results before the interim government's report had been released. [24] According to the U.S. Deputy Spokesman, for example, "The United States regrets the decision by the Provisional Electoral Council to restart the presidential elections from the first round. This will increase time and resources needed to complete the 2015 electoral process and further delay installation of a constitutionally elected president.... The United States regrets that the electoral process has extended yet again, with the president-elect unlikely to be installed before February 7th, 2017." [25] The National Human Rights Defense Network published one of several reports criticizing the happenings on election day, using Haitian observations to bolster claims apparently unseen by many international players. [26] [27]

American officials discouraged rerunning the elections after spending $33 million on funding them. [28] In an April 2016 visit to Haiti, Special Coordinator Kenneth H. Merten said that he hoped the verification process would be "very, very fast" and that it would not change the election results. [29] Secretary of State John Kerry also emphasized the need to accept an elected government, citing the lack of international community patience with further delay. [30] The U.S. Government responded to this report by announcing its refusal to provide funding to complete the Haitian elections. [31] This development may prohibit international observers, often funded by the U.S., from observing the next electoral sessions. While the OAS received $1 million in U.S. funding for the October 25 election,[ citation needed ] the organization plans to continue observation, following a list of demanded changes to the Haitian electoral process. [32]

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References

  1. ↑ Haiti sets date for long overdue elections BBC News, 13 March 2015
  2. ↑ Haiti's government candidate advances to presidential runoff Archived 5 January 2016 at archive.today Reuters, 5 November 2015
  3. 1 2 Staff, Sentinel (2015-12-22). "Haiti Elections indefinitely postponed". Haiti Sentinel. Miami: Haiti Sentinel. Archived from the original on 2015-12-25. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
  4. ↑ "Haiti president says postponed runoff vote slated for Jan 17". Associated Press. 1 January 2016. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  5. ↑ "aiti - FLASH : Message to the Nation of Jude Célestin". Haiti Libre. 2016-01-18. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  6. ↑ "Haiti - FLASH : Elections of January 24 are canceled !". HaitiLibre. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  7. ↑ "Haiti - Elections : "There will be elections this January 24" dixit Michel Martelly". HaitiLibre. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  8. ↑ "Prensa Latina - Latin American News Agency".
  9. ↑ "Clinton's Long Shadow | Jacobin". www.jacobinmag.com. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  10. ↑ "Célestin disputes Haiti election results; supporters protest". miamiherald.
  11. ↑ Anderson, Jon Lee (17 February 2016). "Haiti Has a President". The New Yorker. ISSN   0028-792X.
  12. ↑ "Haiti interim president vows to hold former leaders accountable". Yahoo News. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  13. ↑ "Haiti panel calls for re-run of presidential elections". miamiherald. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  14. ↑ The Associated Press (30 May 2016). "Haiti Panel Recommends Throwing Out Results of Disputed Vote". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331.
  15. ↑ Haiti - FLASH : Presidential Elections on October 9
  16. 1 2 "LISTE DES CANDIDATS A LA PRESIDENCE AYANT FAIT LEUR DEPOT DE CANDIDATURE" (PDF). CONSEIL ELECTORAL PROVISOIRE. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  17. ↑ L, S (2015-05-26). "Haiti - FLASH : 23 Presidential candidates challenged (list)". Haitilibre.com. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  18. ↑ "Haiti: 41 disputes to 23 presidential hopefuls heard at Electoral Bureau". Haiti Sentinel. Archived from the original on 29 May 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  19. ↑ "Haïti - FLASH : Liste officielle des candidats agréés à la Présidence". Haiti Libre. 12 June 2015.
  20. ↑ Haiti - FLASH : The Presidential candidate of MUDHAH put aside because his criminal past
  21. ↑ Preliminary Results Archived 2015-12-23 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ↑ Haiti's government candidate advances to presidential runoff Archived 5 January 2016 at archive.today Reuters, 5 November 2015
  23. ↑ The Associated Press (2016-05-30). "Haiti Panel Recommends Throwing Out Results of Disputed Vote". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  24. ↑ Robles, Frances (2016-01-21). "U.S. Presses for Haiti Runoff Vote Amid Fears of Violence and Fraud". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  25. ↑ "Daily Press Briefing - June 8, 2016" . Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  26. ↑ "October 25th, 2015 Elections: A Massive Planned Operation of Electoral Fraud". rnddh.org. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  27. ↑ Union Europeene Mission d'Observation Electorale Haiti 2015 (27 October 2015). "Déclaration Préliminaire: Une journée électorale calme et globalement bien organisée dont la participation peine à décoller" (PDF). Haiti Libre. Retrieved 8 August 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. ↑ Barry-Shaw, Nikolas (27 May 2016). "Clinton's Long Shadow". www.jacobinmag.com. Jacobin. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  29. ↑ Johnston, Jake. "Election Verification Results Expected this Weekend: What to Expect and What Comes Next?". cepr.net. Archived from the original on 2016-05-31. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  30. ↑ "Kerry's warning to Haiti: Patience is wearing thin on delayed elections". miamiherald. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  31. ↑ "Daily Press Briefing - July 7, 2016" . Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  32. ↑ Charles, Jacqueline (2 August 2016). "OAS will observe Haiti's elections but wants changes ahead of vote". Miami Herald. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
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