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This presentation by James Morrell, Director of the Haiti Democracy Project, discusses the accomplishments and challenges of Haiti's electoral process. It examines the impact of foreign intervention, the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, and recommendations for a strategy of national salvation.
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Haitian Electoral Expertise: Accomplishments and Challenges Presentation by James Morrell Director, Haiti Democracy Project At the panel discussion “Haiti Election and Leadership” October 14, 2010 · Johns Hopkins University Presentation dedicated to the memory of Micha Gaillard, Haitian political visionary who perished January 12, 2010
Haiti Succeeds in 2006 • Big turnout, fair count • Pluralistic candidates and results • Reasons: • Regime neutral, could not run its own candidates • U.S. insistence on appointing competent administrator
A Fatal Foreign Flaw • One candidate got 47 percent of the vote • He cried fraud and called mobs onto the street • Foreign embassies, seeking closure, pressed electoral board to count blank votes to put candidate over the top • A display of partisanship that would have lasting consequences
Consequences Appear • In October 2007, a delegation of five Haitian senators warned of delayed elections • Nothing was done. Another delegation went in May 2008 • Flawed elections finally held April 2009
“Que faire?” • Serge Gilles, Fusion Party of Social Democrats: “Que faire quand on a la désagréable sensation que les jeux sont faits avant même le début de la compétition?” • What to do when you have the disagreeable sensation that the results are in before the game even begins?
Aftermath of Earthquake • André Lafontant Joseph, March 21, 2010: • Haiti unready for elections now. But . . .
Follow the Spirit • “ . . . we can reach a political consensus which follows the spirit of the constitution in turning to the Supreme Court. • “This provisional government’s mandate would be above all to organize elections. • “Up to now, the transition governments have all succeeded in holding acceptable elections.”
Foreigners Decree Otherwise • U.N. mission chief Edmond Mulet sets November 28, 2010 as election day • President Préval agreeable as he can control outcome • Sudden foreign insistence on electoral calendar comes ill after their indifference to delays 2007-2009 • Micha Gaillard: Foreign position is “blind and ostrich-like.”
Foreign Intervention • Democratic sector decries electoral board’s subservience to Préval • OAS declares board valid and qualified • Haitians call for constitutionally-required audit of previous officials • U.N. says dispense with audit
“Stability” • U.S. policy seeks stability by supporting the personality in power • An intervention both illicit and misguided, as it won’t bring the coveted stability • Micha Gaillard: Haiti’s political leaders “won’t accept electoral masquerades that exclude them from the scene for years to come.”
Recommendations • Hew to strict neutrality in Haitian political affairs • Fund no elections below the standard of 2006 • Stop clinging to the personality in power • Let change happen • “The Haitian people are thirsty for change” —Rev. Edouard Paultre
Strategy for National Salvation • Haiti has in its civil society, political parties, business sector, grassroots, and diaspora the personnel capable of modernizing the country
Leadership • “Representatives of the Haitian intellectual, social, political and business worlds have come together in Santo Domingo during August 28–30, 2009 in an exercise of progressive spirit and a discarding of past differences. • “They commit to assault the traditional bastions of irresponsibility, incompetence, corruption, nepotism, and inhumanity which have blocked the evolution of the Haitian nation for the past fifty years.”
