The Head of the Haitian Government, Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe said he had identified, after two encounters on Saturday and Wednesday with the provisional electoral council, problems that institution is facing in organizing legislative and local elections.
In a press conference this week, the Prime Minister said that elections remain the priority of his administration as the President of the Transitional College of the Permanent Electoral Council (CTCEP) Emmanuel Menard announced that the draft electoral law would be sent to Parliament for ratification.
Electoral Councilor, Leopold Berlanger, said it is possible that the first round of elections could take place at the end of 2013 given that Parliament approves the electoral law that is to be submitted.
Neither the President of the Republic or the Prime Minister have stated explicitly an intent to see elections held in 2013. When confronted with the question of the possibility of elections in 2013 by a reporter of The Sentinel, Prime Minister Lamothe said “the decision is up to the CTCEP”, the independent institution designated to organize the next electoral games.
The United States has not shied from showing its encouragement for elections, that were due to be held in November 2011, to be held in 2013. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and the U.S. Ambassador to Port-au-Prince, Pamela White, this week, following the meeting of Lamothe and electoral officials both expressed a desire for year-ending contests.
If they aren’t held Haiti faces a situation similar to the one of January, 1999 when President Preval ruled by decree for some time.