Haiti - Constitution : Eligibility of the Diaspora, restrictions...
With 80 votes for, 8 against and 7 abstentions, the parliamentarians of the 49th Legislature, justifying of their fears in terms of preservation of the national sovereignty have adopted some restrictions on the participation of the diaspora members, which have another nationality, in elective office (Presidency, deputation, Senate).
Parliamentarians have voted the recommendation of the bicameral commission stating that it should never have renounced to its Haitian nationality, to be candidate for presidential or parliamentary elections. In summary, every Haitian citizen enjoying multiple nationality can not be a candidate in an election (Senator or Deputy of the President of Haiti). The National Assembly has just passed the criteria to become a parliamentarian, among them: "be native-born Haitian and never have renounced to its nationality, and do not hold any other nationality at the time of its registration".
To become President, Article 135 amended, reads as follows: "to be elected President of the Republic, it is necessary to be native-born Haitian, never have renounced to the Haitian nationality and does not hold any other nationality at the time of the registration"
The Minister Edwin Parison (MHAVE) however specifies that "Haitian residents from abroad who respect the residence period, legally fixed in Haiti could still run for these positions. With the multiple nationality passed Sunday night, the right to vote of all members of the diaspora is acquired, as well as elective posts at the municipal and local governments. Globally, another step was taken."
