2021 Haitian constitutional referendum
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A constitutional referendum is planned to be held in Haiti in 2021.[1] It is the first referendum in the country since 1987, and was unilaterally proposed by the administration of Jovenel Moïse.[2] Originally set to be held on 27 June 2021, the referendum was postponed to 26 September 2021, on the same day as the presidential and parliamentary elections.[3] The referendum was again postponed to 7 November.[4]
Background[]
In the absence of a Constitutional Council, a Permanent Electoral Council, and a functioning Senate, there was ambiguity as to the end of President Jovenel Moïse's term of office. While he believed that his term would end on 7 February 2022, having been elected in the elections of November 2016 and taking office on 7 February 2017 for a presidential mandate of 5 years, the opposition and civil society groups — including Haiti's Conseil Supérieur du Pouvoir Judiciaire (CSPJ)[5] and Federation of Haitian Bar associations[6] — said the term ended 7 February 2021. On that day, the Supreme Council of the Judiciary declared the end of the Moses' term, while the government announced that it had foiled an attempted coup. The next day, the opposition announced that it would appoint Judge Joseph Mécène Jean-Louis as interim president for a two-year transition period, alongside the drafting of a new constitution during a period of a national conference.
Proposed changes[]
The referendum would bring a number of proposed changes to the constitution of Haiti, including:
- Abolition of the Senate and creation of a unicameral legislature
- Abolition of the post of Prime Minister (thereby changing from a semi-presidential system to a full presidential system of government)
- Creation of an office of vice president
- Modification of the electoral system for presidential elections, changing from a two-round system to one held in one round under first-past-the-post voting
- Moving regular legislative elections to coincide with presidential elections every five years
- Modification of the presidential term limit, allowing two consecutive five-year terms (removing the requirement for a five-year interval before being eligible to serve again for a final term)
- Allowing Haitian citizens with dual nationality to run for, or serve in, high office, including president
Postponement[]
On 7 June, the government announced that it would be postponing the referendum, stating the COVID-19 pandemic in Haiti and difficulties the electoral council faced in recruiting and training electoral staff as reasons. The government announced the new date of 26 September 2021 for the referendum.[7] The date was placed into further question following the assassination of Jovenel Moïse.
References[]
- ^ "Haïti: le pouvoir contesté annonce des élections et un référendum sur une nouvelle constitution". LEFIGARO (in French). Retrieved 8 February 2021.
- ^ "Jovenel Moïse donne un cadre légal au CEP pour organiser le référendum sur la nouvelle Constitution". Le Nouvelliste. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "IFES Election Guide | Country Profile: Haiti". www.electionguide.org. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ "Haiti postpones election date to replace slain president". France 24. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ "CSPJ resolution: constitutional mandate of President Jovenel Moise". Haiti Watch. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ BDHH. "Resolution 2021-01 Haitian Bar Federation (english version) – Bureau des Droits Humains en Haïti (BDHH)" (in French). Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "Haiti moves constitutional referendum to September". Reuters. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
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