Overview:
Haiti’s government and electoral council agreed on a $120 million budget for long-delayed elections, though major components of the process remain unresolved. Authorities said this amount, developed with technical support from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, accounts for logistical constraints, the gradual improvement in security, the accessibility of certain areas and the state’s financial capacity.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haiti’s government and the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) have agreed on a $120 million budget to finance the country’s long-delayed general elections, ending months of negotiations over the cost of organizing the first national vote in a decade.
The agreement, announced July 3 by the Ministry of Culture and Communication (MCC), cuts $130 million from the CEP’s original $250 million proposal after weeks of negotiations between the two institutions.
The compromise marks one of the most significant advances in Haiti’s stalled electoral process. Yet major hurdles remain before voters can cast ballots, including publication of a revised electoral calendar, adoption of the final electoral decree and official publication of the approved budget.
Government officials said the budget reflects Haiti’s logistical needs, improving security conditions, expanded access to previously inaccessible areas and the state’s limited financial resources.
“The Prime Minister’s Office and the Provisional Electoral Council have jointly agreed on an amount of 120 million U.S. dollars for the implementation of electoral operations,” the MCC said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.
“This budget may be revised, if necessary, by joint decision of the two institutions.”
Officials said the Ministry of Economy and Finance helped review the budget and pledged to mobilize domestic resources along with support from international partners to finance each phase of the electoral process.
Months of negotiations
The agreement follows months of public disagreements over the election’s cost.
In April, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé rejected the CEP’s initial $250 million proposal, calling it “absurd” and “unacceptable.” He argued Haiti was not organizing elections “for the American people.”
The proposal also drew criticism from roughly 15 political parties that signed the National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections. They argued the estimate far exceeded the roughly $50 million spent on Haiti’s 2016 elections.
After consultations with the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the CEP reduced its proposal to $190 million before ultimately agreeing to the current $120 million compromise.
Government officials described the agreement as an important step toward organizing democratic elections while balancing the country’s severe financial constraints.
Major obstacles remain
Despite the budget agreement, several critical components of the electoral process remain unresolved.
Authorities have yet to publish a revised electoral calendar or finalize the electoral decree, amid disagreements over government-requested revisions to align a December 2025 decree with a National Pact for Stability and the Organization of Elections, which it signed with major political actors.
In addition to its primary functions of running electoral operations, the CEP has been tasked by the revised decree with preparing proposed constitutional amendments, collecting recommendations from political stakeholders and organizing the constitutional referendum.
However, disagreements over the decree have strained relations between the government and the electoral council.
Between June 11 and June 23, representatives from both institutions held a series of meetings after the CEP objected to revisions contained in a June 2 government decree, arguing they undermined the council’s constitutional independence.
“These changes concern certain provisions related to the independence of the electoral institution, as well as other elements that could hinder the smooth conduct of the ongoing electoral process,” the CEP said in a June 24 statement.
The council maintained that drafting the electoral decree falls exclusively within its constitutional authority.
“This document, presented for the first time to the councilors, is completely different from the draft electoral decree submitted to the Executive by the CEP on April 24, 2026,” council members said.
“This approach confirms the unconstitutional nature of the Prime Minister’s decision, which violates the principle of independence of any Electoral Council.”
Preparations continue
Although the broader electoral process remains in limbo, the CEP has continued preparing for voter registration across several departments, including Nippes, West, South and Artibonite.
On July 3, the council conducted training sessions for future Electoral Registry Agents in the Nippes, West, South and Artibonite departments. According to the CEP, the recruits will support voter registration once operations officially begin.
Government officials said they remain committed to completing the remaining steps needed to organize credible elections.
“The Prime Minister’s Office and the Provisional Electoral Council renew their commitment to creating the conditions conducive to holding free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections that meet the aspirations of the Haitian people,” the government statement read.
