UN Secretary-General Report Flags Fragile Security as Haiti Eyes December Elections

A report of the United Nations Secretary-General (S/2026/800) on the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) says progress on Haiti's political transition depends on national authorities' capacity to simultaneously improve security, advance electoral preparations and maintain broad support for restoring democratic institutions. According to the report, the Provisional Electoral Council published a revised calendar on 27 July 2026 setting 13 December as the date for the first round of presidential and legislative elections and a consultation on constitutional amendments, with a second round and local elections scheduled for 21 February 2027. Voter registration launched on 20 July, and 759,257 of an estimated 6.5 million potential voters had registered as of 5 October. The report notes that of 316 registered parties, 105 political entities remained, with 1,517 candidates registered subject to confirmation. Following amendments to the electoral decree on 6 October, the Council extended the candidate registration deadline to 31 October and postponed the electoral campaign. The report says gangs continue to perpetrate violence, citing a late-August 2026 attack in Kenscoff, and documents security gains in parts of the capital alongside persistent violence in the West, Centre and Artibonite Departments. BINUH continued good-offices and human rights monitoring work, the report states.