Ariel Henry looks on during a ceremony at La Primature in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on July 20. Photo: Valerie Baeriswyl/AFP via Getty Images
Haiti's November election has been postponed after Prime Minister Ariel Henry on Monday dismissed the nine-member council responsible for organizing elections, per Reuters.
The latest: Henry told AP Tuesday evening that a referendum to reform the country's constitution will take place by February, with presidential and legislative elections to follow shortly thereafter.
Why it matters: Haiti's elections have already been postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CNN notes.
What he's saying: "The train has derailed for some time in Haiti," Henry told CNN. "We want to move as quickly as possible to the restoration of democracy through elections."
- Henry said the current election council "cannot organize elections" and that a new council will be formed to replace them.
- The new elections will take place in the first few months of 2022, following a review of the country's constitution, Henry told CNN.
Of note: Some lawmakers approved of the decision to dismiss the council over concerns of its legitimacy and partisanship, per Reuters.
The big picture: In recent months, Haiti has been wracked by the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and a recent 7.2-magnitude earthquake.
- Earlier this month, Haiti's chief prosecutor asked a judge to charge Henry in connection with the July assassination.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with details of Henry's election pledge to AP.