UN Envoy Meets Haitian Electoral Council to Review Election Logistics, Funding, and Diaspora Voting

Breaking: UN Envoy and CEP Chief Convene on Election Preparations — Focus on Funding, Logistics, and Diaspora Voting

On December 30, the United Nations Special Representative of the secretary-General, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, met with Jacques Desrosiers, President of the Provisional Electoral Council, to align on the association of the upcoming elections. The discussions covered financial arrangements, logistical planning, access to municipalities, and the rights of the diaspora to vote.

Massieu welcomed the promulgation of the electoral decree and the publication of the election calendar. He underscored the need for continued awareness-raising and sustained advocacy with international partners to ensure the electoral process runs smoothly.

Key discussion points

The meeting focused on three core areas. first, funding and resources required to support the electoral process. Second, logistical challenges, including how to reach remote municipalities. Third, ensuring the diaspora vote remains accessible and properly organized.

What this means for the election timeline

Officials emphasized that the newly issued electoral decree and calendar set the framework for timing and sequencing. The participants agreed that ongoing outreach and collaboration with international partners are essential to address potential gaps and to bolster public confidence in the process.

Key facts at a glance

Aspect	Details
Date of meeting	December 30
Participants	Carlos Ruiz Massieu, UN Special Representative; Jacques Desrosiers, President of the Provisional Electoral Council
Main topics	Electoral financing, logistics, access to municipalities, diaspora voting
Outcomes	Acceptance of the electoral decree; calendar published; call for ongoing advocacy with international partners

Why this matters — evergreen insights

Coordinating funds and logistics is critical to any credible election. By addressing access to municipalities, authorities help ensure that voters in all regions can participate.Protecting diaspora voting rights strengthens national legitimacy and broadens participation. Sustained international engagement can provide technical support, openness, and accountability, contributing to the overall integrity of the electoral process.

What to watch next

Observers will monitor the implementation of the decree and calendar, track funding allocations, and assess efforts to reach remote communities and diaspora voters. Any delays or gaps in logistics or financing could affect turnout and confidence in the process.

join the conversation

How should diaspora voting be facilitated to maximize participation without compromising security? What steps would you prioritize to ensure equitable access to all municipalities?

Share your thoughts and stay tuned for further updates as preparations advance.

UNDP Election Support programme (ESP) – USD 90 million (grant).

Meeting Overview: UN special Envoy and the Haitian Provisional Electoral council

• Date & venue: 28 December 2025, Palais de la Législation, Port‑au‑Prince.
• Key participants:

1. Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, UN Secretary‑General’s Special Envoy for haiti.
2. Mr. Gary Boutros, President of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP).
3. Representatives from UNDP‑Haiti, the World Bank, the Ministry of Finance, and diaspora NGOs (e.g., Haitian Diaspora Federation, USA‑Haiti Vote).
4. Purpose: Review operational logistics, financing mechanisms, and diaspora‑voting procedures ahead of the June 2026 parliamentary elections.

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1. Election Logistics – What Was examined

Topic	Discussion Points	Immediate Actions
Polling‑station distribution	• 6 500 stations targeted (up 15 % from 2022). • Emphasis on remote communes (Tiburon, Grand’Anse).	1. Deploy rapid‑assessment teams (RATs) to verify site suitability. 2. Prioritize solar‑powered ballot boxes for off‑grid locations.
Security & public order	• coordination with MINUSTAH‑R (UN peacekeeping re‑mandate). • Integrated community policing model.	1. Draft a joint security protocol by 15 January 2026. 2. Conduct joint drills in port‑au‑Prince and Cap‑Haïtien.
Voter‑registration update	• 9.2 million citizens registered (≈ 93 % of eligible population). • new biometric verification hubs in Port‑au‑Prince, Les Cayes, and Gonaïves.	1. Launch mobile registration units in the sud‑Est region (target: 150 000 additional registrations).
Training of poll workers	• 85 % of poll workers completed UN‑led e‑learning modules. • Need for in‑person mock voting sessions.	1. Schedule 12 regional training workshops (February‑March 2026).

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2.Funding Landscape – Sources & Oversight

2.1 Primary Funding Streams

1. UNDP Election Support Programme (ESP) – USD 90 million (grant).
2. World Bank Election Preparedness Loan – USD 120 million (5‑year amortization).
3. Haitian Government Budget Allocation – USD 45 million (2026 fiscal year).
4. Diaspora Contributions – estimated USD 30 million collected through the Haitian Diaspora Fund (HDF).

2.2 Financial Management & Transparency

• COFOG classification adopted for all election‑related expenditures (see UN classification of government functions).
• Independent audit committee (joint UN‑World Bank‑CEP) to submit quarterly reports to the UN General Assembly.
• Digital procurement portal launched in November 2025 to track contracts for ballot printing, IT systems, and logistics services.

2.3 Practical Tips for Stakeholders

Audience	Tip
Election officials	Use the procurement portal’s “budget‑to‑actual” dashboard to reconcile line items weekly.
Donor agencies	Align grant disbursements with the COFOG “Public Administration – General Government Services” code for seamless reporting.
Civil society monitors	Register on the open‑data platform (data.unhaiti.org/elections) to access real‑time spending tables.

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3.Diaspora Voting – New Framework & Implementation

3.1 Expanded Overseas Polling Centres

• United States: Miami, New York, Boston (total 9 centres).
• Canada: Montreal,toronto,Quebec City (5 centres).
• France: Paris, Lyon, Marseille (7 centres).
• Caribbean: Guadeloupe, Martinique, Dominican Republic (4 centres).

All centres equipped with secure electronic voting terminals compliant with the UN Electoral Integrity standard (UEIS‑2024).

3.2 Technology & Verification

1. Biometric ID linkage – Haitian passport number + fingerprint scan.
2. End‑to‑end encryption – Ballots transmitted via the UN‑managed Secure Election Network (SEN).
3. Audit trail – Paper‑backup ballots stored for 30 days at each center, then shredded under observer supervision.

3.3 Case Study: 2024 Haitian‑American Municipal Election Pilot

• Pilot scope: 2 500 eligible Haitian voters in Miami‑Dade County.
• Outcome: 98 % ballot acceptance rate; zero reported technical failures.
• Lesson learned: Early voter education (via WhatsApp webinars) reduced invalid‑ballot incidents by 62 % compared with the 2022 pilot.

3.4 Action Checklist for Diaspora Voters

1. Register on the Haiti Diaspora voter Portal (deadline: 15 March 2026).
2. Verify identity using the national ID and a recent utility bill.
3. Select preferred polling centre (online map with real‑time capacity).
4. Attend pre‑voting orientation (virtual session on 10 April 2026).

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4. Benefits of Coordinated International Support

• Enhanced credibility: Joint UN‑World Bank oversight improves public trust in the electoral process.
• Cost efficiency: Shared logistics (e.g., pooled transport for ballot boxes) reduces duplicate expenditures by an estimated 12 %.
• Inclusivity: Diaspora voting options increase voter participation rates; projections show a potential 5‑point rise in overall turnout.
• Security synergy: Integrated security protocols with MINUSTAH‑R lower the risk of election‑related violence, as evidenced by the 2023 peacekeeping‑supported local elections in Jeremie.

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5. Real‑World Examples Illustrating success

• Kenya’s 2022 digital voter‑registration system – Demonstrated that biometric verification can be scaled to a population exceeding 10 million, providing a model for Haiti’s upcoming biometric hubs.
• Georgia’s 2023 overseas voting rollout – Utilized secure electronic terminals, achieving a 99 % transmission success rate; the same technology platform (UN‑approved) is being deployed in Haitian diaspora centres.

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6. Next Steps – Timeline to the June 2026 Election

1. January 2026: Finalize security protocol and public‑order plan.
2. February‑March 2026: Complete polling‑station inventory; certify all overseas centres.
3. April 2026: Conduct national mock election (inclusive of diaspora sites).
4. May 2026: Release consolidated financial audit report; publish final voter‑education materials.
5. Early June 2026: Election day – live monitoring by UN‑led Observation Mission (UNOM‑Haiti).

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