OAS Urges Haiti to Speed Up Election Preparations Ahead of December Vote

With Haiti’s long-awaited elections just months away, the Organization of American States (OAS) is urging Haitian authorities to accelerate preparations for the country’s upcoming vote.

OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin made the call during a three-day visit to Haiti, where he met with government officials and other partners to discuss the country’s security crisis, electoral preparations and efforts to restore democratic institutions.

Ramdin emphasized the need to move faster on voter registration and civil identification, particularly as violence has displaced millions of Haitians and made some areas difficult to access. He also raised concerns about municipalities where armed groups have limited access to voter registration centers.

Haiti’s first round of presidential and legislative elections is currently scheduled for December 13, 2026. If the election takes place as planned, it would be the country’s first general election since 2016, marking a significant step after years of political instability and delayed elections.

But getting Haitians to the polls will require more than registering voters. Security remains one of the biggest obstacles to holding a nationwide election.

Ramdin called on international partners to follow through on commitments to provide personnel, funding, equipment and logistical support for the international force working to combat armed gangs and improve security conditions.

The OAS and Japan have also announced $3 million in support for Haiti’s civil identification and voter-registration efforts. The initiative includes plans to provide 350,000 identification cards and expand registration services across the country.

For millions of Haitians who have been waiting years for the opportunity to vote, the December date represents a potential turning point. But whether the election can actually take place will depend on how quickly voter registration expands, how accessible communities become and whether security conditions improve.

With the clock ticking, Haiti now faces a critical question: Will the country be ready to vote in December?