Haiti: 80 observers expected

The Organization of American States, at the request of the President of the Republic, His Excellency René Préval, has decided to send an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to support the electoral process of 2010. In the parliamentary elections of February 2010, the OAS has planned to deploy some 80 observers, and is expected to double the presidential elections in November 2010.

The purpose of the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) is to support the electoral process, to identify strengths and weaknesses in the organization of elections in order to strengthen the capacity of the Provisional Electoral Council. In this spirit, the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) has to follow up recommendations in order to ensure the establishment of an electoral process transparent, inclusive and democratic.

The OAS has also decided to continue to provide technical support to the CEP, through training of officials of the Provisional Electoral Council to increase the autonomy of the Authority in relation to international actors and strengthen the sustainability of aid made up 'here. This training will be made after the elections and is designed as a prerequisite for the POC may be able to manage independently the electoral registry and the Center tab.

Therefore, the OAS will not be involved in the organization and implementation of elections in Haiti, as was the case in the past. The decision to only observe the elections in Haiti during the year 2010 is within the context of recognizing the urgent need for the Haitian State acquires electoral institutions transparent, effective, permanent and reliable.