Haiti Electoral Decree Sets Resignation Deadlines for Officials Seeking Office

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haiti's amended electoral decree requires public officials seeking elected office to resign by specific deadlines and, where required, submit proof of resignation, according to The Haitian Times. In a Tuesday memo, the Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Collectivities (MICT) reminded interim executive agents — transitional mayors — that they must resign by Oct. 15 under the amended decree, which was published Oct. 8. The requirement appears in Article 388 and gives agents seven days from publication to step down. The ministry stressed "strict compliance" with the "mandatory" provision. The Oct. 6 amended decree, approved by the Council of Ministers on Oct. 5, revised the framework adopted June 2 and amended July 2, retaining the resignation rule. Article 387 required cabinet members and senior officials to resign within one month of the Feb. 21 National Pact's signing; the pact was published in Le Moniteur on Feb. 23, so that deadline has passed. No government member had publicly announced a candidacy or submitted a resignation as of reporting. Article 153 details required candidacy documents, including notarized resignation letters. The CEP opened online candidate registration Aug. 20, set to close Oct. 31, with parties needing 30,000 members and independents 150,000 supporters.