The decision by Haiti?s electoral board to postpone elections until January 8 is, frankly, a responsible decision that was based on the precarious security situation in the country. US -based news services have highlighted the third postponement since the ouster of former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide . However, the move by the nine member Provisional Election Board (CEP) was necessary to ensure that a free and fair election is eventually possible in this impoverished, war-torn country. In a previous WAR Report, TRC analyzed the continued lack of security in Haiti and recommended initial steps that UN peacekeepers could take to ensure that all sides disarm and pave the way to a democratic transition. As was stated, criminal gang elements, combined with former Haitian military personnel, have resulted in a general lawlessness that would alone seriously jeopardize the elections. Political violence has killed more than 1,500 people since Aristide’s ouster almost two years ago. However, the decision to postpone elections was not based on these facts alone. The CEP was diligent in analyzing the progress that had been made to further the electoral process and deemed that progress as inadequate.

Applause instead of scorn should be forthcoming from all parties that have had a hand in these elections. The United Nations and the Organization of American States have demonstrated their support to the decision. They have not chosen to highlight the inconsequential fact that this is the third postponement of general elections. What good are elections if the necessary elements are lacking? This is the argument the Council Secretary-General Rosemond Pradel has made to reinforce the CEP?s decision. The council had not finished printing ballots, distributing more than 2.5 million voter identification cards, or training poll workers. Without these necessary elements, an election is useless and may prove to be more harm than good. ?There was a series of practical points that needed to be addressed for the elections to take place in serene conditions,? said Pradel.