Electoral Budget: Between Suspicions of Waste and Major Security Challenges

In a fragile political and extremely degraded security context, the proposed budget of nearly 250 million US dollars for the organization of the upcoming elections in Haiti raises many questions. Developed by the Provisional Electoral Council, this amount is still under governmental review, but it is already considered excessive by several observers. In a country facing a multidimensional crisis, this allocation appears particularly high and fuels a climate of mistrust regarding its relevance and management.

A comparison with the 2015-2016 elections, organized under the administration of Jocelerme Privert, helps to better understand the extent of this increase. At the time, the electoral budget was estimated between 50 and 60 million dollars, four to five times less than the amount currently envisioned. While the context was already marked by political tensions and protests, it remained generally more stable in terms of security. Furthermore, a significant portion of the funding and logistical management was provided by international partners, which lightened the direct burden on the Haitian state.

Today, the situation is profoundly different. The budget increase can be partly explained by cost inflation and the country's logistical disorganization, but it is primarily linked to the deterioration of the security climate. In several areas, particularly in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, the presence of armed groups makes the organization of public activities difficult, if not impossible. In this context, holding elections requires exceptional means to secure polling stations, transport electoral material, protect electoral agents, and allow citizens to vote without risk. These requirements mechanically lead to a significant increase in expenses.

Beyond the budgetary question, the organization of elections requires the completion of several essential tasks in a particularly constrained environment. First, it is indispensable to re-establish a minimum level of security throughout the territory, without which no credible electoral process can be considered. Simultaneously, many potential polling stations, such as schools or public buildings, must be rehabilitated or made accessible. Updating the electoral register also represents a major challenge, due to the massive displacement of the population caused by insecurity. Finally, a significant effort must be made to restore citizens' trust in electoral institutions, after the crises and disputes that marked previous elections.

In this context, the debate surrounding the 250 million dollars extends far beyond the simple financial question. It actually raises the question of the state's capacity to organize credible elections in such an unstable environment. While this budget can be partly justified by current constraints, the lack of transparency and clear control mechanisms risks fueling suspicions of waste and mismanagement. Without a coherent strategy, rigorous oversight, and a real improvement in security conditions, this amount might not be sufficient to guarantee the success of the electoral process, which is nevertheless essential for the country's democratic reconstruction.