NEW DATES FOR HAITIAN ELECTIONS OFFICIAL

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 002941

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR
DRL
S/CRS
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
STATE PASS AID FOR LAC/CAR
INR/IAA (BEN-YEHUDA)
TREASURY FOR MAUREEN WAFER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM HA
SUBJECT: NEW DATES FOR HAITIAN ELECTIONS OFFICIAL



1. Post received November 29 a copy of the Moniteur, the
official government newspaper, which established new dates
for the Haitian election by executive order. The edition,
marked as published November 28, convenes the first round of
national elections January 8, the runoff February 15, and
local elections March 5. The order states that the new
president will assume power February 24.


2. The new elections dates will not allow the Provisional
Electoral Council (CEP),government and their international
partners to respect the February 7 transition to an elected
government. However, the interim government pledged over the
radio November 29 to resign when its mandate expires February
7 and preside only over the day to day operations of state
until the newly elected president can be sworn in.


3. Comment: The new dates create some wiggle room for
elections implementors. Ballot printing, ID card
distribution and poll worker training have all begun, but
remain the areas with the least maneuvering room. In all
three areas, implementors will have ten days or less to deal
with unforeseen problems. Broad acceptance of the government
assertion that it will step down after February 7 and cover
daily operations of the state until February 24 will only be
possible if it gains the support of the Council of Eminent
Persons, the body that originally established the interim
government under the April 4, 2004 accord.

KERST