‘Hope’ for Haiti’s political future as some 300 groups reportedly register for upcoming elections
No elections have been held since a lengthy election cycle from 2015 to 2017 that brought late President Jovenel Moïse to power.
Haiti has not had an elected president since he was assassinated in 2021.
A succession of interim governments have taken on the responsibility of governing while the country awaits elections.
The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Haiti, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, based in the capital Port-au-Prince, said the new National pact for stability and the organization of elections was an ‘important political act’.
He added that it met Haitian priorities for “restoring security, organizing credible elections and restoring democratic governance.”
A burnt-out vehicle sits on the side of a road in a neighborhood in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince.
Why the political situation matters
A stable government will be essential to improving the daily lives of the people of Haiti.
Weak governance and the resulting insecurity have allowed armed gangs to expand territorial control, undermine the rule of law and commit horrific human rights violations.
These include murders (more than 8,100 were documented in 2025), kidnappings for ransom, child recruitment and sexual violence with collective rape of women and girls.
Gang violence has also led to the displacement of an estimated 1.5 million people, many of whom were already suffering from high levels of poverty – a situation exacerbated by the economic collapse.
Haiti’s protracted political transition is not an isolated domestic issue, but has implications for regional stability, such as drug and weapons trafficking by gangs and the migration of its citizens abroad.
When could elections be held?
The UN and the international community have always maintained that any lasting political solution must be a Haitian-led process.
The authorities are supported in their efforts to organize and conduct municipal, parliamentary and presidential elections. Current Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has reportedly said they will be detained by the end of the year.
An ink spot on the thumb shows that this voter in Haiti went to the polls in 2016. (file).
What does the international community say?
The Security Council made up of fifteen UN member states, meets at least four times a year to discuss the situation in Haiti.
In his latest solution it urged “all Haitian stakeholders to reach an agreement on the future governance structure.” express “deep concern about the lack of progress” in achieving a political transition.
The resolution also notes recent institutional steps, including the 2025 decree establishing specialized judicial bodies to tackle corruption, gang violence and sexual crimes; reforms considered essential to restore the rule of law and political credibility.
Despite these initiatives, persistent uncertainty, the weakness of Haitian institutions, and political fragmentation continue to slow progress toward elections and constitutional governance.
What is the role of the United Nations?
The UN plays a central political and coordinating role through the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, often known by its French acronym: BINUH.
The mission is led by Carlos Ruiz Massieu and has a mandate until January 2027. The Security Council emphasizes that the role of the mission’s “good offices” is crucial in enabling a transparent, Haitian-led transition.
BINUH distinguishes itself from, but collaborates with:
- UNSOH (the United Nations Support Agency in Haiti) has been tasked to provide logistical, technical and administrative support to the UN-backed and council-mandated Gang Suppression Force (GSF).
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UN agencies, such as UNDP, UNICEF and the World Food Program, which provides humanitarian and development assistance
How does the UN respond?
UN support to Haiti’s transition aims to integrate political assistance with security, justice and human rights initiatives, including:
- facilitating national dialogue and the constitutional process, including ensuring the peaceful transition of power
- support for judicial reform and specialized courts tackling corruption and mass crimes
- assistance to judicial institutions and prison administration
- support for the design of a Haiti-led Disarmament, Dismantling and Reintegration (DDR) program
- coordination with international partners to reduce community violence
- monitoring and reporting human rights violations, including sexual violence
- support to national authorities to strengthen human rights protection
What happens next?
2026 brings high expectations for holding long-awaited elections.
An electoral calendar sets the first round of parliamentary and presidential elections on August 20 and a second round, if necessary, linked to municipal elections on December 6.
According to media reports, approximately 300 political parties or groups have registered to participate in the elections.
Meeting these deadlines will require progress to stabilize the security environment and create conditions conducive to a fair vote.
The UN continues to facilitate dialogue, support elections, strengthen legal institutions and promote accountability, but progress ultimately depends on Haitian stakeholders reaching consensus.
Political differences must be overcome to improve security, reduce displacement and prevent economic collapse.
A credible political transition is essential for national recovery.
