Haitian presidential election, November 2016

Haitian presidential election, November 2016

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

Haiti
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Haiti
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Executive Provisional President (list) Jocelerme Privert Prime Minister (list) Enex Jean-Charles Cabinet
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Judiciary Supreme Court
Political parties PHTK INITE Lavalas OPL LAPEH
Elections General: 2006 2010–11 Presidential: 2015 2016 (Feb) 2016 (Nov) Parliamentary: 2015–16 Senate: 2016–17 Electoral Bodies: CEP
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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

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]

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

Elections and referendums in Haiti
Presidential elections	1950 1957 1987 1988 1990 1995 2000 2006 2010–11 2015 2016 (Feb)* 2016 (Nov)
Parliamentary elections	1790 1791 1801 1806 1817 1822 1827 1832 1837 1842 1843 1847 1852 1857 1862 1863 1867 1870 1873 1875 1879 1882 1887 1890 1893 1896 1899 1902 1905 1908 1911 1914 1917 1930 1932 1936 1940 1946 1950 1955 1957 1961 1964 1967 1973 1979 1984 1986 1987 1988 1990–91 1993 1995 1997 2000 2006 2010–11 2015–16
Senate elections	1808 1812 1815 1930 1932 1936 1940 1946 1950 1955 1957 1961 1964 1967 1973 1979 1984 1987 1988 1990–91 1993 1995 1997 2000 2006 2009 2010–11 2015 2016–17
Referendums	1918 1928 1935 (Feb) 1935 (Jun) 1939 1961 1964 1971 1985 1987
• Indirect elections