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Haiti’s transitional council president, Leslie Voltaire, announced that the long-overdue general elections are set to take place around November 15, 2025. However, with the country in the grip of widespread gang violence and collapsing security infrastructure, concerns are mounting over whether a free and fair vote can truly be achieved.

Haiti has not held elections since 2016, and all elected representatives have been absent since January 2023. Armed gangs have expanded their control over large portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and other key regions, creating a volatile atmosphere that threatens any attempt at democratic governance.

Speaking during a European tour, Voltaire reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transferring power to an elected government by February 7, 2026. However, skeptics argue that this timeline ignores the harsh realities on the ground. Over one million Haitians have been displaced due to gang-related violence, and more than half the population—over five million people—are facing extreme hunger. With gangs launching deadly attacks and tightening their grip on key infrastructure, the prospect of organizing a secure election appears increasingly unrealistic.

Even as international efforts attempt to stabilize the situation, Haiti’s security remains precarious. A United Nations-backed mission comprising around 800 mostly Kenyan troops has assisted the Haitian police. However, with gang violence escalating and law enforcement struggling to regain control, experts warn that these forces are insufficient to ensure national security.

The growing crisis has sparked debate over whether Haiti can safely conduct an election in the current climate. Political figures have proposed controversial solutions, including negotiations with ‘Viv Ansanm,’ the armed gang coalition that dominates much of the capital. While some argue this could lead to temporary stability, others fear it legitimizes criminal organizations and undermines democratic institutions.

Meanwhile, Haiti’s judiciary and much of its state apparatus remain paralyzed, raising further doubts about the feasibility of a legitimate electoral process. Allegations of corruption within the current administration add another layer of uncertainty, with concerns that the elections could be manipulated or serve as a tool for maintaining power rather than restoring democracy.

In addition to internal instability, Haiti faces increasing pressure from external forces. The potential freeze on U.S. aid and mass deportations of Haitian migrants could further strain the fragile nation, exacerbating both economic hardship and security risks.

Just months before the proposed election date, Haiti is at a crossroads. Can a nation overrun by armed gangs, institutional paralysis, and humanitarian catastrophe truly hold a secure and credible vote? Or will the November elections become another casualty of the country’s deepening crisis?