Elections in Haiti: Government and CEP Agree on Urgency to Secure Communes Outside State Control

The Minister of Justice and Public Security, Dr. Patrick Pélissier, and the President of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), Jacques Desrosiers, held a working session this Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Port-au-Prince. Securing the territory to allow for the holding of upcoming electoral competitions in an acceptable climate was at the heart of the discussions, as more than twenty communes still escape state control.

As elections approach, security challenges remain at the forefront of Haitian authorities' concerns. Meeting this Tuesday at the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Dr. Patrick Pélissier and CEP President Jacques Desrosiers reviewed the security conditions essential for holding the vote.

According to the statement published at the end of the meeting, Jacques Desrosiers welcomed the progress made in planning the electoral process but warned of a major difficulty: the state's inability to exercise its authority in about twenty communes across the country. These areas, largely dominated by armed gangs, represent a significant obstacle to organizing free and inclusive elections.

The CEP President thus urged governmental authorities to make every effort to regain control of these territories before the competitions take place.

In response, the Minister of Justice and Public Security reiterated the government's desire to lead the country towards elections. He assured that the executive intends to take « all necessary measures, » with the support of the Gang Repression Force, to create an acceptable security climate.

« The government's determination is total, » the minister emphasized, according to the statement, while insisting on the need for close coordination between the institutions involved in the process.

For this working session, Dr. Patrick Pélissier was accompanied by two key figures: Me Mosler Georges, an electoral expert, and Inspector General Fritz Saint-Fort, a security sector specialist. Their presence demonstrates the willingness of both parties to address the challenges related to organizing the vote in a technical and operational manner.

While this meeting marks an important step in coordination between the government and the CEP, it nevertheless raises questions about the feasibility of holding an election within the announced timeframe. Regaining control of about twenty communes, mostly located in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and in the Artibonite and Centre departments, represents a major security challenge for law enforcement.

The coming weeks will be decisive in evaluating the authorities' capacity to secure the territory and guarantee acceptable voting conditions for voters and stakeholders in the process.