WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, CMC – The Organization of American States (OAS) on Wednesday, concluded discussions with a high-level delegation from Haiti and representatives from the Venice Commission on critical topics related to the security context, future electoral processes, governance and the development of a legislative framework to support democratic stability in Haiti.
The OAS said the three-day discussions were in line with its Permanent Council Resolution CP/RES.1237, adopted on November 17, 2023.
“This in-person engagement builds on recent collaborations between the OAS and the Venice Commission, as part of an ongoing initiative to help Haiti identify legislative solutions that can serve as a basis for conducting the next and future electoral processes,” the OAS said.
Following an invitation by OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro in March 2024, the OAS noted that the Venice Commission issued an “Interim Opinion on Possible Constitutional and Legislative Solutions to Conduct Future Electoral Processes”, in June.
The OAS said this document, which outlines recommendations for Haiti’s electoral framework, was developed based on consultations with Haitian officials, including Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, and “addresses both constitutional and electoral reforms essential for Haiti’s democratic processes.”
In a September virtual meeting, the OAS said its Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation, the Venice Commission and Haitian authorities “continued the dialogue to refine this framework.”
This week’s meetings in Washington included representatives from the Transitional Presidential Council of Haiti, as well as the Provisional Electoral Council, the National Identification Office and the National Conference Steering Committee.
The purpose was “to provide an opportunity for direct dialogue among Haitian representatives, OAS officials, Venice Commission members, as well as Permanent and Observer Missions to the OAS.”
Discussions focused on security, financing and the legislative framework for upcoming elections in Haiti, as well as political-electoral rights, governance and international cooperation, the OAS said.
The three-day agenda also included experts’ sessions with electoral specialists and regional authorities, covering topics such as effective mechanisms to achieve a peaceful electoral process, strategies to organize an election in conflict zones and overseas voting, among others.
The OAS said these meetings and the participation of the Haitian delegation were made possible “thanks to the generous contributions of the governments of Canada, France and the United States.”
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