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Political and administrative structure

Haiti is an independent nation. Its form of government is a semi-presidential republic. The President is the Head of State, elected by universal suffrage by an absolute majority of votes in two rounds, if necessary. The prime minister is the head of government, appointed by the president and ratified by the National Assembly.

It is divided into 10 departments, subdivided into 42 districts (arrondissements), 140 communes, and 570 communal sections.

National parliament

The National Assembly of Haiti (Parlement Haïtien) is bicameral. The Chamber of Deputies is composed of 119 seats, elected through universal suffrage in single-member constituencies by absolute majority vote, in two rounds if necessary. The Senate has 30 members elected directly by universal suffrage. Each of the country's 10 departments has three seats in the Senate.

Municipal government

Each community section is administered by a Council of three members elected by universal suffrage for a four-year term. The Community Section Administrative Council is supported in its work by a Community Section Assembly.

Duration of terms

Presidency of the Republic: five years; Chamber of Deputies: four years; Senate: six years (one-third of the Senate is renewed every two years); Administrative Council of the communal sections: four years.

Representation system

National Assembly: two-round system.

Type of list

Elections for deputies and the Senate are held by single-member voting. The election of members of the Communal Section Administrative Councils (Conseils d'Administration de Section Communale – CASEC), the Communal Section Assemblies (Assemblées de Section Communale), the Municipal Council, and City Delegates is carried out by list voting (Articles 131 and 132 of the Electoral Law).

Electoral constituency

House of Representatives: 119 single-member constituencies; Senate: 10 constituencies.

Laws on parity and gender quotas

Loi constitutionnelle portant amendement de la constitution de 1987 establishes the principle of a quota of at least 30% of women, which is recognized at all levels of national life, especially in the public service (Art. 17.1). Any law relating to political parties must operate its structures and mechanisms in accordance with the principle of quotas of at least 30% established in Article 17.1 (Art. 31.1.1).

Legal instruments applicable to municipalities

Loi Electoral 2008-001, Le Moniteur no. 13 - Spécial no. 3, 25 Juillet, 2008. Law of May 2009, Le Moniteur no. 169, which ammends article 232 of the Electoral Law of 2008.

Electoral Justice

Electoral management body independent from the Executive power: Provisional Electoral Commission of Haiti (CEP).