Protest-hit Haiti creates Election Commission

Haitian Prime Minister Evans Paul announced the creation of an independent commission of electoral evaluation on Tuesday (December 22) as the country struggles to overcome a month-long stand-off over its most recent elections.

The country has seen a series of protests since the October 25 first round presidential vote, which many believe was fraudulent.

The naming of the five-member commission, which is tasked with evaluating the elections, came a day after the Provisional Electoral Council announced on Monday (December 21) that a presidential run-off election, scheduled for December 27, would be postponed until January amid accusations of fraud and irregularities.

“These past weeks have been full of tension, emotion and verbal expressions, most of which have been exaggerated,” Paul said.

Paul assured the commission’s independence in carrying out its work.

“The government guarantees the commission’s complete independence in carrying out its moral and patriotic duties, destined to make all the necessary truths come out in order to restore the credibility of the electoral process,” he added.

The Caribbean nation of about 10 million people has struggled to establish democratic rule after decades of dictatorship, military coups and election fraud.

Ruling party candidate, Jovenel Moïse, and former government executive, Jude Célestin, were due to face each other in a presidential runoff on Sunday (December 27). Instead, the vote will take place in January.

The winner will succeed President Michel Martelly in February as the head of Haiti, the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country.