Project profile — Election Observation Mission to Haiti

This project is an independent Election Observation Mission (EOM) seeking to serve a fundamental role in promoting free and fair elections in Haiti. The activities of the mission include: (1) observing and monitoring electoral processes; and (2) conducting analysis and reporting on electoral, security and political issues. A core team of 8 professionals is complemented by 12 to 14 long-term observers for both rounds of elections, and 24 short-term observers for the October 25, 2015 elections. Mission reports emphasize the content of candidate platforms, candidate access to training, peacefulness of campaign rallies, candidate interaction with courts and the election administration and candidate outreach to voters, in addition to a general analysis of the legal framework and preparations of election administration. A dedicated Long Term Gender Analyst integrates gender considerations in the project and would increase awareness of barriers and put forward recommendations to the Haitian government for improved access and participation in elections by Haitian women. As a conclusion to the mission, ParlAmericas expects to organise a series of stakeholder consultations after the final reports of all EOMs have been published in order to review their findings.

The expected intermediate outcome for this project is that domestic and international stakeholder understanding of Haiti’s election process, enhanced to inform possible policies, reforms, initiatives, and programming to support improvements in future elections.

Results achieved as of the end of the project (March 2016) include: (1) the October 2015 legislative and presidential elections were observed by the mission personnel; (2) the planned electoral process was evaluated; (3) increased understanding by domestic stakeholders of issues and potential remedies pertaining to barriers for women in Haiti's electoral process; and (4) improved capacity of electoral stakeholders to assess objectively the election process according to regional and international obligations, protocols and good practices.