Haiti’s Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has instructed government officials to remain neutral ahead of the country’s planned December 13 elections. The Haiti government says impartiality is essential to building public trust in the electoral process.

Fils-Aimé said public institutions must treat all candidates and political parties equally. Haiti has faced repeated election delays since 2019, making preparations for the upcoming vote especially important.

The Council of Ministers recently adopted a resolution reaffirming the government’s commitment to neutrality. The resolution calls for transparent elections and a safe environment for voters.

Under the new resolution, public officials and civil servants cannot use government equipment or resources to promote political parties or candidates. Officials who violate these rules could face sanctions under applicable laws and regulations.

Fils-Aimé said Haiti’s government must reassure citizens, political parties and civil society that it will remain impartial throughout the electoral process.

However, questions remain about whether Haiti can hold elections on December 13. The country has revised its electoral rules for the third time in four months, raising concerns about the schedule.

The latest electoral decree, published in the official gazette on Thursday, outlines the framework for presidential, parliamentary and local elections. It also covers a proposed constitutional referendum.

Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has requested an extension of the deadline for online candidate registration and supporting documents until October 31. The request would also delay the official start of campaigning.

The council says it will publish an updated electoral calendar soon.

The revised rules continue to bar individuals sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council from contesting presidential, legislative and local elections. However, sanctions imposed solely by individual foreign governments or the European Union do not automatically disqualify candidates under the decree.

The planned December vote would be Haiti’s first national election since 2016, when Jovenel Moïse won the presidency. Moïse was assassinated in July 2021.

Since then, Haiti has struggled to restore elected leadership amid prolonged political instability and insecurity. The government’s neutrality pledge comes as authorities prepare for a vote intended to re-establish elected representation.