Caricom says a Task Force on Elections in Haiti including Assistant Secretary-General, Foreign and Community Relations Colin Granderson held its first meeting in Port-au-Prince on Monday.

In a press release Caricom said the Task Force also comprised representatives of Haiti, the Organization of American States (OAS), the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN), Brazil, Canada and the United States. It was established to provide coordinated international support to the Government of Haiti in its preparations for the forthcoming elections.

The meeting, co-chaired by Haiti President René Préval and UN Special Representative Edmond Mulet, discussed the steps needed to be taken in order to organise elections within the parameters established by the Haitian Constitution. The Task Force also noted the assessment reports that were recently done by the OAS and the UN on holding elections.

Both organisations posited that despite the challenges, elections were technically feasible in 2010.

The Task Force also noted “considerable challenges posed by the effects of the January 12th earthquake on electoral preparations” including in particular on the registration of voters and the update of electoral lists, which it was agreed would begin as soon as possible. The sequencing of the various elections required and the availability of resources were also among the matters discussed.

Under the leadership of the Haitian government, the Task Force offered to provide all necessary technical, logistical and material assistance to the electoral process, with a view to supporting the government’s efforts to ensure participatory, legitimate and timely elections.