US Says Its “Encouraged” Over Haiti

Former Prime Minister, Evans Paul (L) shakes hands with New Prime Minister of Haiti, Enex Jean-Charles(R)as Haitian President, Jocelerme Privert stands by during the installation ceremony of the new Prime Minister and installation of the new government, in the National Palace of Haiti, in Port-au-Prince, on March 28, 2016. (AFP / HECTOR RETAMAL)

By NAN Contributor

News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Thurs. Mar. 31, 2016: The U.S. State Department says its “encouraged” by the decision in Haiti to re-establish a new Provisional Electoral Council.

State Department spokesman John Kirby made the comment Wednesday as a new council was sworn in to oversee Haiti’s electoral process and organize a twice-postponed runoff vote while a short-term caretaker government is in power.

The nine-member Council is tasked with concluding an electoral cycle by holding a runoff to elect a president and the final members of parliament.

“The United States welcomes Parliament’s confirmation of Haitian Prime Minister Enex J. Jean-Charles and his Cabinet. We are encouraged by the re-establishment of the new nine-member Provisional Electoral Council (CEP). The CEP is responsible for organizing the second round of presidential elections, remaining parliamentary elections, and local elections in Haiti to complete the electoral process begun in 2015,” Kirby was quoted as saying in a statement.

An accord negotiated in early February calls for a re-scheduled runoff election to be held April 24.

The US statement added that it “looks forward to all provisions of the Accord being implemented — and a new democratically-elected president seated — as quickly as possible, so that the government can work together with Haiti’s partners to rapidly address the challenges facing the country.”

“As called for in the February 5 accord, we encourage the CEP to quickly implement the technical recommendations of the Independent Electoral Evaluation Commission, designed to improve the transparency and fairness of the final round. Such action will enhance public confidence in the election process,” Kirby added.