Haiti's electoral council drops rule targeting foreign-sanctioned candidates
Candidates no longer must prove they are free of foreign asset freezes, though those under U.N. sanctions remain barred ahead of long-delayed elections.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council has removed a requirement that political candidates certify they are free from foreign asset freezes, potentially allowing individuals sanctioned by countries such as the United States, Canada and the European Union to run for office, according to The Haitian Times and The Associated Press. Candidates sanctioned by the U.N. Security Council remain ineligible.
Under the change, made public Thursday in an official document, potential candidates no longer need to submit a certificate from the Bank of the Republic of Haiti confirming eligibility, though they must still provide other documents, including criminal records. Well-known politicians sanctioned by the U.S., Canada and the EU include former President Michel Martelly and former Senate President Youri Latortue, neither of whom has announced plans to run.
Nine Haitians have been sanctioned by the U.N. Security Council, nearly all gang leaders, along with former lawmaker Prophane Victor. Critics including author Michael Deibert and former Prime Minister Evans Paul said the changes remove accountability safeguards, with Paul warning on X that constant rule changes have "sabotaged" the process.
Registration has been extended to Oct. 31; the general election remains officially set for Dec. 13. More than 784,000 voters have enrolled so far.