Haiti’s Northeast residents register to vote as election hopes meet security concerns 

FORT-LIBERTÉ — More than 30,500 people have registered to vote in Haiti’s Northeast Department since voter registration began July 20, Ernst Manigat, president of the Departmental Electoral Office (BED), said Monday. But in some communities, residents remain confused about the registration process, while political actors question whether authorities can provide the security and institutional guarantees needed for credible elections.

“We have about 30,526 registered voters across the department’s 14 communes,” Manigat told The Haitian Times on Aug. 24. “I think that by the weekend, we will have an even higher number.”

The early turnout reflects Northeast residents’ desire to participate in the process after nearly a decade without national elections. But still, many think that interest comes with doubts because the Haitian capital and surrounding areas remain deeply affected by armed-group violence. Residents and political actors question whether authorities can provide the security, transparency and institutional guarantees needed for credible elections.

The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has scheduled elections for Dec. 13, with a runoff slated for Feb. 21, 2027. The vote is expected to elect a president, lawmakers and local officials and could mark a return to elected government after years of political transition. 

For residents registering to vote, the election represents an opportunity to have a direct say in who governs the country.

“We are ready to participate in the elections to choose people who have a vision and are competent to renew the country’s political personnel,” psychologist Ganel Joseph said.

But persistent insecurity poses a major challenge. Armed groups control large areas of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan region in the West Department and have continued to expand their influence in other parts of the country, including notably the Artibonite Department. Together, these two departments make up the largest share of voters. Violence, displacement and the disruption of transportation and public services have raised questions about whether voters in affected communities will be able to register, campaign and cast ballots safely.

“The transition has never brought anything good to the country—for the people,” said Jovenel Louis, a former lawmaker in the previous legislature.

 “We want elections, but we need to know if it will be a genuine election,” he said. “The transition has not produced anything other than benefiting a small group of people.”

As voter registration has continued in the Northeast, the figure provides an early measure of voter mobilization in the department, though it cannot be used to calculate an accurate registration rate. No official 2026 figure was available for the number of eligible voters already registered before the current operation began, except for a September 2025 National Identification Office (ONI) report stating that 6.3 million Haitians of voting age nationwide had ID cards.

According to Haiti’s Institute of Statistics and Informatics (IHSI), the Northeast had an estimated population of 430,925 in 2024 across its 14 communes, with about 274,000 people aged 18 and older. The adult population estimate, however, is not equivalent to the number of eligible voters.

Residents want a return to elected government, but Security remains a central concern

For residents who have registered, voting is tied to hopes for political renewal. They said they have grown frustrated with successive transitional governments.

Jackenson Accilien, an agronomist, journalist and political scientist, said Haiti needs elections to restore leaders with a direct mandate from voters.

“It will take several years before the country understands the damage caused by the [long] transition, with a group of people who are neither accountable nor responsible to the population,” he said.

Accilien added that elections could be organized first in municipalities and departments where security conditions permit. He argued that electing local officials and lawmakers could help restore legitimate institutions.

“Elections can be held for municipalities and members of parliament. Afterward, the legitimate authorities can work together to restore security in the country,” he said.

He urged Haitians to participate while closely monitoring the process.

“It is the citizens who contribute to the development of their country when they get up and go vote,” he said, recognizing that the enthusiasm for elections is tempered by concerns over whether they can be held safely.

For Joseph, however, insecurity should not automatically prevent elections in areas where voting can be conducted safely.

“Of course, there are many areas under the control of armed groups,” Joseph said. But this cannot be used as a pretext for not holding elections in the country.”

Joseph views elections as essential to changing Haiti’s political leadership and a pathway to peace, security and socioeconomic development.

“Without elections in the country, the issue of insecurity will never be resolved. We must find a way to renew our political personnel. Elections are the only way,” he added.

Ex-lawmaker Ronald Lareche concurred, saying Haiti needs elected institutions capable of addressing both political and security challenges.

“If there were a functioning parliament and an elected president, they would have more resources to resolve the issue of insecurity,” he said.

Information gaps create confusion 

While registration has progressed, residents in some communities remain unclear about the process.

Romenald Nelson said people in remote areas do not always have access to accurate information about registration and voting.

“Many people don’t understand the voter registration process. Some think they have to pay to register. Others think they vote the moment they register,” he said.

In Ferrier, Jancima Mereau, an elderly resident, described similar confusion.

“They made me register without letting me choose the president, senators, deputy and mayors,” she said.

Her comments underscore the need for sustained voter education explaining the distinction between registration and voting and the different stages of the electoral process.

Some communities have organized their own efforts to help residents navigate registration.

In Ferrier, for instance, young people have formed support teams to assist residents who have difficulty completing the required procedures or understanding the process.

“The initiatives are particularly important in communities where access to information is limited,” Nelson said, emphasizing that 30,500 registrations are an encouraging sign.

“We need to continue raising awareness, because many people still don’t fully understand the voter registration process,” he added.

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