Haitian presidential election, November 2016

Haitian presidential election, November 2016
Haiti
20 November 2016

Turnout 21%
 
Nominee Jovenel Moïse Jude Célestin
Party PHTK LAPEH
Popular vote 595,430 208,837
Percentage 55.67% 19.52%

 
Nominee Jean-Charles Moïse Maryse Narcisse
Party Platfom Pitit Desalin Fanmi Lavalas
Popular vote 118,142 96,121
Percentage 11.04% 8.99%

President before election

Jocelerme Privert (Provisional)
Inite

Elected President

Jovenel Moïse
PHTK

This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Haiti
Constitution
Foreign relations

Presidential elections were held in Haiti on 20 November 2016, after having been postponed several times.[1]

The elections were overseen by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP),[2] and were held using the two-round system, with a second round scheduled for 29 January 2017 if no candidate received an absolute majority of the votes in the first round (50% plus one vote). However, on 27 November election officials announced that, according to preliminary results, Jovenel Moïse had won the election in the first round with more than 50% of the vote. Voter turnout was reportedly 21%.[3]

The winner of the elections is set to assume office on 7 February 2017.[2]

Background

As a result of the massive protests after the 2015 election, the runoff originally scheduled to be held on 27 December 2015 was postponed several times, with the last one scheduled to be held in October 2016.[4] However, the Conseil Electoral Provisoire (CEP) announced on 5 April 2016 that fresh elections would be held on 9 October with a possible runoff on 8 January 2017. The first round planned for 9 October was subsequently postponed due to the passage of Hurricane Matthew.[5]

Electoral system

The President of Haiti is elected using the two-round system, with a second round held if no candidate wins a majority of the vote in the first round.

Candidates

A total of 27 candidates ran for president, but only six actively campaigned and were seen as serious contenders: Edmonde Supplice Beauzile (Fusion Social Democrats), Jean-Henry Céant (Renme Ayiti, "Love Haiti"), Jude Célestin (LAPEH/Peace), Jean-Charles Moïse (Pitit Dessalines), Jovenel Moïse (Parti Haïtien Tèt Kale), and Maryse Narcisse (Fanmi Lavalas).[6] Each of the six, except for Beauzile, "have had strong ties to one or more of the former elected presidents: Michel Martelly, René Préval and Jean-Bertrand Aristide."[6]

Opinion polls

Pollster Dates administered Moïse
(PHTK)
Célestin
(LAPEH)
Moïse
(Pitit Dessalin)
Narcisse
(Fanmi Lavalas)
Céant
(Renmen Ayiti)
Supplice
(Fusion)
BRIDES13–16 November 201654.5%20.7%11.6%6.7%1.0%0.7%
BRIDES28 September–1 October 201654%23.3%12.0%7.0%0.7%0.6%
BRIDES8–15 August 201641%25.2%12.5%7.6%1.8%0.6%

Results

Early reports indicated a close race between Jovenel Moïse and Maryse Narcisse.[7] While counting was still ongoing, both Moïse's Haitian Tèt Kale Party (PHTK) party and Narcisse's Fanmi Lavalas party claimed victory, although official results were not yet issued issued and the CEP's cautioned against making such claims.[8]

Candidate Party Votes %
Jovenel MoïseHaitian Tèt Kale Party 595,430 55.67
Jude CélestinAlternative League for Haitian Progress and Empowerment 208,837 19.52
Jean-Charles MoïsePlatfom Pitit Desalin 118,142 11.04
Maryse NarcisseFanmi Lavalas 96,121 8.99
Jean-Henry CéantRenmen Ayiti 8,075 0.75
Edmonde Suppice BeauzileFusion of Haitian Social Democrats 6,812 0.64
Maxo JosephRandevou 5,362 0.50
Amos AndréFront Uni pour la Renaissance d’Haïti 2,278 0.21
Jean Hervé CharlesParti pour l’Evolution Nationale Haïtienne 1,985 0.19
Joseph Harry BretousKonbit Pour Ayiti 1,813 0.17
Marie Antoinette GauthierPlan d'Action Citoyenne 1,806 0.17
Jean Clarens RenoisUnir-Ayiti-Ini 1,687 0.16
Daniel DupitonCohésion Nationale des Partis Politiques Haïtiens 1,308 0.12
Gérard DalviusParti Alternative pour le Développement d'Haïti 1.222 0.11
Kesler DalmacyMOPANOU 1.007 0.09
Jean BertinMouvement d'Union République 991 0.09
Jean Ronald CornelyRassemblement des Patriotes Haïtiens 983 0.09
Marc-Arthur DrouillardParti Unité Nationale 978 0.09
Jean PoincyRésultat 970 0.09
Jacques SampeurKonbit Liberasyon Ekonomik 960 0.09
Jean-Chavannes JeuneCANAAN 943 0.09
Joseph G. Varnel DurandisseRetabli Ayiti 890 0.08
Roland MagloireParti Démocrate Institutionnaliste 824 0.08
Vilaire Clunny DuroseauMouveman pou Endepandans Kiltirel Sosyal Ekonomik ak Politik an Ayiti 799 0.07
Monestime DionyIndependent 768 0.07
Luckner DésirMobilisation pour Haïti 744 0.07
Nelson FlecourtOlah Baton jenès la 687 0.06
None of the above 7,234 0.68
Invalid/blank votes votes 58,120
Total1,127,766100
Source: HaitiLibre

Reactions

The United States, Haiti's largest international donor, welcomed the holding of elections.[8] U.S. Department of States spokesman John Kirby said following the first round that the U.S. viewed the elections "as an important step toward returning Haiti to fill constitutional rule and addressing the serious challenges the country faces," but noted that the election had some "isolated incidents of violence and intimidation."[9][10]

References

  1. Hersher, Rebecca (5 October 2016). "Haiti's Presidential Election Delayed In Wake Of Hurricane". NPR. NPR. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  2. 1 2 Joseph Guyler Delva, Tensions mount as Haiti waits on re-run election results Reuters, 21 November 2016
  3. Jacqueline Charles (November 28, 2016). "Banana farmer wins Haiti presidency, according to preliminary results". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  4. Guyler Delva, Joseph (25 April 2016). "Haiti says election could drag on for months, protests grow". Reuters. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  5. "Haiti - FLASH : The elections of October 9 postponed". Haiti Libre. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  6. 1 2 Jacqueline Charles, Of Haiti’s 27 presidential contenders, six have the best shot at the seat, Miami Herald (November 18, 2016).
  7. Early Haiti election returns indicate close race between Moise and Narcisse Deutsche Welle, 21 November 2016
  8. 1 2 Rival parties claim victory in Haiti’s presidential election France24, 22 November 2016
  9. "Haitians Await Preliminary Results from Sunday's Election". Voice of America. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  10. Toward a Return to Constitutional Rule in Haiti (press statement), United States Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs (November 21, 2016).
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