Haiti’s New Electoral Rules Shut Out U.S. and Canada-Sanctioned Figures

A new provision in Haiti’s electoral decree is expected to prevent several individuals sanctioned by the United States and Canada from participating in upcoming elections.

Under Article 153, subsection 20, of the decree published on June 2, all candidates must present a certificate from the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) proving their financial solvency and good standing within the banking system.

The certificate confirms that applicants are not bankrupt, insolvent, barred from using checks, or involved in recurring payment-related incidents.For many individuals under international sanctions, obtaining such a document may prove impossible.

Sanctions often result in exclusion from banking services and financial restrictions, effectively preventing affected individuals from meeting the electoral requirement.Failure to provide the BRH certificate automatically disqualifies a candidate from the registration process.

The measure is therefore seen as a significant obstacle for sanctioned political figures, substantially reducing their chances of competing in future national and local elections