Haiti election postponed after prime minister dismisses election council

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry on Monday dismissed the country’s electoral council, postponing the presidential election originally scheduled for September.

In an interview with CNN, Henry said his government wants “to move as quickly as possible to the restoration of democracy through elections.”

“We have made the decision today to stop this electoral council and form another one, one that will be more consensual and one that will be accepted by all of society,” said Henry.

Henry took power two weeks after the July assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, leaving a chaotic political scene in the country.

Moïse had himself appointed the electoral council amid ongoing debate over the end date of his term in office and a political battle over his push to hold a referendum to change Haiti’s constitution.

Some opposition lawmakers celebrated the dismissal of the Moïse-appointed council, according to a report by Reuters.

“We will ensure the next CEP is credible and legitimate,” tweeted opposition spokesman Andre Michel.

Haiti’s ongoing political upheaval was worsened with Moïse’s assassination in July and an earthquake in August that displaced hundreds of thousands of people.

The United States has also expelled thousands of Haitian migrants and returned them to their country after a group of nearly 15,000 Haitian nationals assembled under a bridge by the Mexican border in Del Rio, Texas.

Henry told CNN he understands the removals but doubted whether they will help solve the issue of regional migration.

“What we are saying is that as long as there are countries that are better off than others, there will always be an appeal towards those wealthier,” said Henry.