Tuesday, the Electoral Observation Mission of the European Union (EOM/EU) presented its results to the press after the holding of presidential, legislative and municipal elections of 25 October 2015. Globally the elections were well organized and took place in a climate of serenity significant compared to August 9. However, voter turnout has not taken the expected magnitude and signals the increasing distance between the electorate and its representatives.

"The election day on October 25 represents a breath of hope for Haitian democracy," said Elena Valenciano, head of the

EOM/EU

According to the Mission "the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has learned the lessons of the August 9 dysfunctions and create the conditions for a peaceful and orderly election" However, the EOM/EU considers that "the low turnout, confirms the trend of the last electoral cycles," and emphasizes the persistence of the distance between the electorate and its representatives.

The presidential campaign has only had minor incidents. However, the EOM/EU observers, sometimes noted a climate of palpable tension, particularly in the areas of resumption of the first round of legislative elections. The decision to resume the legislative elections in certain constituencies was welcomed by European observers. However, the EOM/EU egrets the absence of criminal proceedings against the perpetrators of electoral violence.

The criterion of discharge was the main reason for the rejection of the presidential candidates "The EOM/EU regrets that the current procedure for obtaining the discharge is a political lever that allows Parliament to block certain candidacies and represents a de facto barrier to the exercise of the fundamental right to be a candidate."

Moreover, the Mission noted that "the litigation of results of the first round of parliamentary highlighted the lack of consistency in decision making as well as the influence exerted on the contentious nstances by certain candidates. An independent judicial control of electoral disputes is lacking, failing that weakens this important step, which is contrary to international best practices for democratic elections."

Download the complete preliminary findings of the EOM/EU (in french) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/elections2015/declaration-preliminaire-25-oct-2015-MOEUE.pdf

Media coverage of the electoral campaign was generally characterized by the diversity of information available to voters. "However, more than half of the media analyzed by the EU/EOM showed informative bias in favor of certain presidential candidates," indicates the mission.

Download the Media Monitoring (french) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/elections2015/Resultats-monitoring-des-medias-MOEUE-oct-2015.pdf

Note that the EOM/EU continues to observe the tabulation of minutes until the announcement of the provisional results, and possible appeal to the Litigation offices of the CEP. It will also observes the possible second round of presidential elections.

HL/ HaitiLibre