Provisional electoral council (CEP) 20 Aug rejected 15 of 34 candidates for 28 Nov presidential election, including hip hop star Wyclef Jean and several other candidates linked to diaspora; CEP facing mounting criticism over perceived bias towards President Préval. In surprise move, Préval 7 Aug endorsed head of govt construction company Jude Célestin as official candidate of ruling INITE party over ex-PM Jacques Édouard Alexis. Ex-President Aristide’s Fanmi Lavalas (FL) party for first time facing prospect of split vote as several ex-FL members bidding for president under different banners. Post-earthquake reconstruction commission IHRC 17 Aug announced US$1.6bn in rebuilding projects, first major lot of projects announced since commission created March.

6-month anniversary of Jan earthquake marked by mounting criticism of slow reconstruction process: UN said only 10% of US$2.5bn needed for reconstruction had been disbursed through 30 June; reconstruction commission IHRC yet to propose specific rebuilding projects. IMF 21 July cancelled Haiti’s US$268mn debt, approved new 3-year US$60mn loan. Some 72 parties registered for Nov presidential and legislative elections; several, including banned Fanmi Lavalas of ex-President Aristide, continued to condition their participation on President Préval resigning or restructuring Provisional Electoral Council; Préval rejected calls.

Aid agencies warned vast majority of camps holding some 1.5m displaced by Jan earthquake still not prepared for ongoing hurricane season. UN, national police 18 June arrested 30 in Port-au-Prince camp amidst reports of heightened insecurity, sexual violence within camps. UNSC 4 June agreed to temporarily increase police contingent by 680 officers. Amid international pressure President Préval 30 June scheduled presidential, parliamentary elections for 28 Nov, but did not restructure Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) despite opposition calls for dismissal of its members. Late month U.S. Senate report expressed concern with slow pace of rebuilding effort, called on President Préval to be more actively involved.

Amid rising political tensions, govt officials and aid agencies continued to warn heavy rains could trigger floods, landslides affecting 1.3m IDPs left homeless by Jan earthquake. Police in Port-au-Prince 11 May fired tear gas at 2,000 demonstrators calling for President Préval to stand down in largest political protests since earthquake; followed parliament vote to allow Préval to stay in office for 3 months after mandate ends Feb 2011 if successor not elected by then. Préval 18 May promised to step down at end of his term as originally scheduled. Govt, UN 26 May announced joint commission of inquiry into alleged killing of prisoners by police in post-quake Les Cayes riot.

Provision of safe shelter for 1.3m IDPs from Jan earthquake continued to pose major challenges to govt, UN and relief agencies. UN mid-month started moving thousands out of “high risk” camps endangered by approaching rainy season, but response remains uneven. President Préval 13 Apr pledged to hold legislative, presidential elections before end 2010 in line with constitution; UN, OAS to evaluate govt’s capacity to stage elections Apr-May. Parliament approved bill 16 Apr to extend state of emergency, imposed after earthquake, for further 18 months; and to create Interim Haiti Reconstuction Commission (IHRC) to oversee post-quake reconstruction. Opposition criticised: said bill undermines transparency of upcoming elections; IHRC, comprising both nationals and internationals, violates country’s sovereignty. U.S. military 19 Apr confirmed end of formal relief mission to Haiti 1 June, but will leave 500 soldiers for humanitarian assistance. PM Bellerive 28 Apr endorsed UNSG recommendation for 18-24 month “scaling up” of MINUSTAH activities.

Donors pledged US$5.3bn in short-term aid over next 2 years at 31 March UN-led donors conference, additional US$3.7bn in long-term aid; UNSG Ban said donations “far exceeded expectations”. U.S. State Sec Clinton 9 March urged Haiti to hold delayed legislative elections “as soon as possible”; President Preval yet to set new election date. Préval mid-month confirmed he will not stand for presidential re-election after end of his term Feb 2011. U.S. troops started withdrawal 7 March, 10,000-strong MINUSTAH to take over security.

Govt 9 Feb raised Jan earthquake death toll to 230,000, President Préval 21 Feb said final toll could reach 300,000; more than 1m displaced. Inter-American Development Bank 16 Feb estimated reconstruction cost at US$14bn; UN 18 Feb launched US$1.44bn aid appeal. U.S. 13 Feb announced it will cut troops to 13,000 after security situation had stabilised. Opposition during month repeatedly accused Préval of ineffectiveness, passivity in recovery work; called for govt dismissal or formation of consensus govt. Legislative elections remain indefinitely postponed, raising questions of democratic institutions’ legitimacy as parliamentary terms expire May.

Up to 200,000 feared dead in devastating 12 Jan earthquake, several hundred thousand others displaced. Some 13,500 U.S. troops deployed amidst reports of growing violence, deteriorating security in scramble for limited aid resources, but situation stabilising end-month. Widespread damage to infrastructure and govt institutions, largely reversing progress made on institutional strengthening in recent years. UNSC 19 Jan authorised additional 3,500 troops, police to MINUSTAH peacekeeping mission; some 100 UN staff, including mission leadership, killed in earthquake. President Préval 27 Jan said 28 Feb parliamentary elections delayed, no new date set.

Opposition groups continued protests against Provisional Electoral Council’s (CEP) alleged partiality in favour of new presidential platform, Inité. Claimed ban of 16 parties from Feb parliamentary elections, including ex-President Aristide’s Fanmi Lavalas party, politically motivated, threatened election boycott. UN independent expert on Haiti 30 Nov said Lavalas ban “justified”; MINUSTAH urged CEP clarification.

Ex-Planning Minister Jean-Max Bellerive 11 Nov sworn in as new PM after early month confirmation by Congress, Senate; followed Senate’s 30 Oct dismissal of PM Pierre-Louis for “inefficiency in office.” National electoral council 26 Nov banned 16 parties, including influential Lavalas, from participating in Feb 2010 parliamentary elections over registration protocol issues.