Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi has been appointed as an EU election observer on behalf of the European Parliament to monitor the upcoming elections in Haiti on Sunday. The EU has already fielded a large electoral Observation Mission in the last few months to actively monitoring the election process in Haiti and a small group of selected MEPs will join the EU mission during the elections.
Haiti is undergoing important process with long overdue local, legislative and also Presidential elections, which are taking place simultaneously. The first round of legislative elections took place on 9 August 2015. While the overall process was considered acceptable, significant irregularities and violence were to be regretted.
The second round of legislative elections together with the first round of Presidential elections took place on the 25 October 2015 in a more serene, peaceful way with improved conditions. Despite the improvements, the run up for presidential elections, between Jovenel Moïse and Jude Célestin, has been postponed twice due to violent demonstrations. Haiti Presidential elections are scheduled to take place on Sunday regardless of the continuous street protests and boycott threats in the capital and other parts of the country.
"Election observation missions are vital in the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law worldwide. We will observe the various phases of the electoral process on the basis of which we will analyse whether democracy and fairness were preserved during the elections." MEP Mizzi commented live from Haiti.
Marlene Mizzi said: "I am honoured to be appointed to represent the European Parliament at such an important mission. The stakes for Haiti's elections are high. Democratic change is essential in order to stabilise and recover the economy and the political situation in one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere."
"Elections are only the first step and the new leadership will face many complex challenges such as insecurity, corruption, poverty and continuation of post-earthquake reconstruction. Therefore, it is important that the new President has the trust of the people and is elected in a democratic and fair manner".