Forming a Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) responsible for organizing elections in a country where the population is held hostage by 12,000 armed men (Dixit PM Garry Conille) requires a lot of audacity on the part of those in charge, but the challenges for choosing its members are multiple and profound because they can seriously affect democracy and political governance.
However, the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) and the Prime Minister’s office do not care.
They are planning to relaunch the electoral machine this week with the formation of a new CEP. This was announced by the advisor-president Dr Louis Gérald Gilles, on the airwaves of Radio Kiskeya.
If we are to believe Dr. Gilles, a letter requesting the 9 sectors concerned to designate their representative was sent last Thursday to the bodies concerned by the process.
However, making the decision to select CEP members in this environment controlled by armed gangs enjoying impunity presents a number of risks, difficulties and problems.
Biased and intimidating selection:
In this environment where armed gangs exercise significant influence, the selection of members of the Electoral Council can be largely dictated by partisan considerations and direct threats. Gangs can intimidate policy makers and authorities responsible for appointing members of the Provisional Electoral Council, thereby forcing the appointment of individuals loyal to their interests. This seriously compromises the independence and impartiality of the Provisional Electoral Council, which are essential to ensuring democratic elections. Lack of qualified candidates:
The presence of armed gangs often discourages competent and independent individuals from running for the Provisional Electoral Council. Fear for their personal safety and that of their loved ones is a major barrier. As a result, the pool of qualified candidates is often limited to those willing to cooperate with armed gangs or accept their conditions, thereby compromising the quality and legitimacy of CEP members. Insecurity for potential candidates:
Individuals interested in a role on the Provisional Electoral Council often face direct threats to their lives and those of their families. This extreme insecurity deters even the most competent and committed individuals from becoming involved, limiting the choice of potential members to those willing to risk their personal safety or submit to the demands of armed gangs. Manipulation of the nomination process:
Armed gangs often exert direct influence over the process of nominating members of the Provisional Electoral Council. They may intimidate political appointees or use coercive means to impose their preferred candidates. This manipulation severely compromises the independence and impartiality of the CEP, as appointed members may be forced to serve the interests of armed gangs rather than the public interest. Lack of transparency :
Due to pressure and threats from armed gangs, the process of nominating CEP members can lack transparency. Decisions can be made behind the scenes, away from public scrutiny and international observers. This lack of transparency fuels mistrust and skepticism about the integrity of the Electoral Council and its ability to ensure free and fair elections. Low legitimacy:
When the CEP is perceived to be under the influence or control of armed gangs, its legitimacy is greatly compromised. Election results may be called into question, undermining public confidence in the democratic process. International actors may also be reluctant to recognize election results if the Provisional Electoral Council lacks independence and impartiality, creating a crisis of political and institutional legitimacy. Resistance to reform:
Armed gangs often have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and opposing any reforms aimed at strengthening the independence of the Provisional Electoral Council or improving electoral governance. They can use their power and influence to block or sabotage reform efforts, perpetuating a cycle of manipulation and control over the electoral process. This resistance to reform prolongs political instability and undermines the possibility of free and fair elections in the country. As Rezo Nodwes pointed out in a recently published article, in a security context marked by the increase in acts of violence in the country, the dictatorship of gangs and the inability of the security forces to tame armed criminal groups, the issue of the formation of a new electoral body should be relegated to the background.
But given the insistence of the American authorities who, despite the seriousness of the security situation in Haiti, are already congratulating PM Conille for the “progress” recorded since the deployment of the 200 Kenyans, it would not be surprising if the CPT and the Prime Minister’s Office set up a CEP in the coming weeks, as required by their guardians.
Similar articles