Haiti postpones June 27 constitutional referendum due to COVID-19

Haiti has delayed a constitutional referendum programmed for June 27 due to the COVID-19 pandemic without providing a new date for the vote, further developing the country's political deadlock.

President Jovenel Moise rules Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, by order after legislative elections due in 2018 were postponed following discussions on the limits of his term.

In addition to the administrative, legislative and local polls in September, Moise wanted to present a new draft of the island nation's constitution on June 27.

Last month, he said he would continue despite international criticism that the process was not "inclusive, participatory or transparent" in a country troubled by political instability and unlawful gangs.

But on Monday, an official declaration announced the decision to delay was motivated by 'problems' the election council faced as it tried to meet and train all the temporary staff for the realization of the poll in light of the pandemic.

A new date will be set "according to the recommendations of the health authorities and the technical advice of the managers of the electoral institution," he said.

On May 24, Haiti announced a state of emergency due to the increase in COVID-19 cases.

But the organizing of the elections has previously appeared complicated due to the increasing possibility in the country.

Over the weekend, clashes among two gangs in a poor area of the densely populated Port-au-Prince forced numbers of residents to flee their homes and take refuge in nearby churches and gyms.

Moise, who faces anger and demands that he resign amid the government's failure to curb criminal violence, is on its sixth prime minister in four years.

In April, the country's prime minister, Joseph Jouthe, resigned as the country struggled with political chaos.

Besides the political crisis, kidnappings for ransom have increased in recent months, reflecting the growing influence of protected groups in the Caribbean.