Haiti: PM Ariel Henry says he wants to conduct "elections" as "soon as possible"

Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he plans to hold a referendum to amend the constitution by February and conduct presidential and legislative elections early next year, as the nation continues to face deep political and economic instability. Ariel Henry, who was sworn in as interim prime minister just days after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July, spoke to the Associated Press news agency on Tuesday that doubt is one of the biggest challenges he faces.

The Haitian Prime Minister told AP that "Elections must be held as soon as possible," He said, "People do not believe what is said."

Henry's comments come a day after he issued a decree announcing that members of the Provisional Election Lot (CEP) had been fired, a move that indefinitely delayed the vote once again.

After developing several election calendars, the CEP set the first round of the presidential and legislative elections and a constitutional referendum for November 7.

But the former President Jovenel Moise's murder at his home in Port-au-Prince on July 7 plunged the country into deeper political instability and insecurity, while fears grew among residents that violence in the capital increased.

Haiti's top prosecutors earlier this month accused Henry of involvement in Moise's killing and asked that the prime minister be questioned. But Henry denied the allegations and later dismissed the prosecutor.

Henry was appointed by President Moise just days before he was assassinated. Later in July, Henry was officially sworn in as prime minister.