The training session on electoral disputes, organized for members of the decentralized structures of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), including the Departmental Electoral Offices (BED) and the Communal Electoral Offices (BEC), concluded on August 30, 2026.

At the initiative of the CEP's Legal Affairs Department, members of the BEDs and BECs from nine departments across the country, excluding the West Department, participated in this four-day training session, which was part of the ongoing electoral operations. This training aimed to strengthen the capacity of members of the decentralized structures of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) who are designated to serve as Electoral Law Commissioners within the electoral tribunals, in accordance with Articles 279 et seq. of the Electoral Decree of June 2nd, 2026.

The training program covered the prevention and management of disputes and challenges that may arise at various stages of the electoral process, from voter registration to the proclamation of the final results of the upcoming general elections, as well as the organization, operation, and legal framework governing the dispute resolution body.

During the sessions, particular attention was paid to the procedures for filing appeals based on the nature of the disputes. Participants also examined the different forms of electoral challenges, including those related to the compilation of electoral lists, candidacies, and election results.

The trainers took the opportunity to remind participants that the right to contest results is an essential guarantee of the democratic nature of the electoral process. In this context, a thorough understanding of the legal framework surrounding the organization of elections and the applicable procedures for electoral disputes is crucial for those involved in the process.

Furthermore, participants completed case studies, allowing them to practice drafting legal briefs and requesting the application of legal and regulatory provisions by the electoral judge.

Training sessions for electoral judges and lawyers began on Monday, August 31, and will last 3 days.

IH/ iciHaiti