Haiti’s transitional leader confirms elections for November

The head of Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council (TPC), Leslie Voltaire, has announced that general elections will take place in November 2025, as the country moves toward restoring democratic governance after years of political instability.

“We must hand over power to a legitimate, elected government on February 7, 2026,” Voltaire told TV5 Monde, indicating that the elections are expected to be held around November 15, 2025.

Haiti has not had elected representatives since January 2023 and last held elections in 2016. However, widespread gang violence and political turmoil continue to pose serious challenges to the electoral process.

Armed gangs have taken control of significant portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince, with many openly attempting to overthrow the government. The United Nations estimates that more than one million Haitians have been internally displaced due to the ongoing violence.

The gangs’ activities have also led to frequent closures of major ports, further exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. According to officials, more than five million Haitians—nearly half the population—are facing severe food insecurity as a result.