In a significant move toward political stabilization, Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) convened with prominent private sector representatives on March 16, 2026, in Pétion-ville. The high-level dialogue brought together industry leaders from multiple chambers of commerce including the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH), American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti (AMCHAM), Franco-Haitian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CFHCI), Haitian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIHC), and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the West (CCIO).
CEP President Jacques Desrosiers, accompanied by Councilor Yves Marie Edouard, inaugurated the proceedings with a call for patriotic collaboration, emphasizing that successful elections constitute the fundamental pathway to reestablishing governmental legitimacy and constitutional normalcy. “Within democratic frameworks, elections represent the paramount mechanism for achieving legitimate authority,” Desrosiers asserted during his opening address.
The council outlined critical prerequisites for conducting credible elections, highlighting two fundamental requirements: establishing adequate security conditions and securing necessary financial resources for electoral operations. Technical presentations detailed innovative aspects of the electoral process introduced through the December 1, 2025 Electoral Decree, including implementation timelines and voter registration procedures.
Business representatives raised substantive concerns regarding accountability mechanisms for former public officials, implications of international sanctions on candidate eligibility, citizen participation barriers, and operational aspects of implementing national identification cards. CEP leadership, including Executive Director Jean Roger Philippe Augustin and departmental directors, provided comprehensive responses to these inquiries.
The concluding session reinforced the council’s commitment to maintaining transparent dialogue with national stakeholders. Desrosiers characterized these engagements as essential building blocks for establishing mutual trust and ensuring an inclusive, transparent electoral process that meets international democratic standards.