The Electoral Council calls for civil society ownership and involvement in the referendum and electoral processes

The Provisional Electoral Council held a day of exchanges with civil society organization leaders on March 23, at the Karibe hotel, to hear their concerns and build a frank dialogue. CEP president Patrick Saint-Hilaire said the Council's mission is to organize the referendum and credible, transparent and fair general elections. He said the Council has no mandate to draft a new Constitution and is waiting to receive the legal text to be put to popular consultation. Executive director Philippe Augustin reported that four key documents were handed to the Executive: a draft referendum decree, the referendum calendar, the budget and an approach to voting by prior registration.

He also reported a competition to recruit members of the decentralized structures (BED/BRD and BEC/BRC) in the ten departments, with oaths and installation completed except in Ouest I and II. The Council committed to discuss progress, promulgation of the referendum decree and security conditions with the Executive.