Actualités

Statement concerning RNDDH’s involvement in Electoral Evaluation Commission

RNDDH made the decision on December 22, 2015 to participate in the electoral evaluation commission by recommending Gedeon Jean (CARD) as a member of the human rights sector. RNDDH’s participation seemed to be inevitable given the role it played in observing the elections on both August 9th and October 25th. Our objective in participating was to bring credibility to the rest of the electoral process and create transparency.

 On August 9th, 2015 it was observed by RNDDH and by other observation groups that there was the presence of massive fraud, irregularities and violence. The October 25th elections, showed that there was better preparation, and although violence was not visible, there was still massive fraud and irregularities.

 On November 21st and 22nd, the initial audit of 78 tally sheets at the Vote Tabulation Center further supported the initial observations. Although fraud and irregularities were noted in the initial audit, further analysis and evaluation had not been pursued by the CEP, the Haitian Government or the International Community.

 RNDDH believed it was crucial to return to the Vote Tabulation Center and to further analyze the tally sheets in order to determine the reality and extent of fraud and irregularities.

 The government presented RNDDH a set of ‘Terms of Reference’ guiding the evaluation commissions work which appeared to be a means to push forward the electoral process without careful scrutiny of additional tally sheets at the Vote Tabulaton Center. RNDDH agreed to participate in the commission only if a new set of ‘Terms of Reference’ which we proposed were accepted, allowing the commission access to the Vote Tabulation Center. The government concurred and analysis began on Sunday, December 29th.

On Saturday evening, January 2^nd, the electoral evaluation commission issued a report. Of the sample of 1770 tally sheets, these are some of the important findings :

-          26.7% of the sample tally sheets indicated incidences (i.e. fraud or irregularities)

-          43.3% of the sample tally sheets had extra marks or modifications

-          57.1% of the sample tally sheets indicated that voters were not on the list where they voted

-          65.8% of the sample tally sheets were not signed off by at least three mandateurs

-          30.6% of the sample tally sheets did not have the CIN numbers of the voters

-          57.1% of the sample tally sheets were missing voter thumprints on the voter list

-          46.8% of the sample tally sheets had good CIN voter numbers

-          29.9% of the sample tally sheets corresponded with the official count

The report was signed by four of the five commission members. Gedeon Jean, the fifth member of the commission omitted his signature. In general, his letter to RNDDH indicates he believes that all of the tally sheets would need to be analyzed in order to have a comprehensive assessment of both the irregularities and fraud present in the August 9th and October 25th election. It would ultimately require a vote recount.

 RNDDH agrees with Jean’s position and believes its participation in the commission played an important role in further highlighting the truth and creating transparency around the October 25th elections. As we move forward, RNDDH will continue to push for more credibility and transparency in the electoral process.

 Issued : January 4th, 2016