Government Tips - Haiti Observer Blog

The Senate in Haiti is also referred to as the Upper House, which is one of the houses making up the bicameral Parliament. There are certain characteristics that separate the Senate from the Lower House, or the Chamber of Deputies.

The first round of senatorial election was held in November 2005 and the second round occurred three months later. There are 27 senators with a ratio of three per department. Senators are appointed through a voting system. Those who gained absolute majority will get to serve in the Upper House for six years but re-election takes place every two years.

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The Haitian government is led by a president, who shares his/her executive power with the prime minister. Once elected by popular vote, the president will run the country for five years. After the term, the president could not run in the next election. He/she has to wait for five years in order to seek a second term. Haiti presidents can only serve for a maximum of two terms.

Not everyone can run for president as there are certain qualifications and requirements to be eligible for the seat. Only candidates with Haitian citizenship by birth can run for the position, as well as those who are at least 35 years of age. Jail sentence, loss of civil rights and lack of property ownership and residency can make a candidate ineligible to assume the position.

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There are two houses forming Haiti's bicameral legislature, one of which is the Lower House or the Chamber of Deputies. There are 99 members of the Lower House, all of whom have won with absolute majority during the last election. Members can serve a four-year term and they can keep on running for Chambers seats because there is no limit.

However, there are requirements that aspiring Lower House members must meet to become eligible to run for the seats. First of all, a candidate must be 25 years old at the time of registration. He/she should not have criminal records that eliminated his/her political and civil rights and he must be a Haitian citizen by birth. Mental illness, imprisonment, and undocumented immigrant status are among the factors that can disqualify an individual from the Lower House race. Members and executives of the Electoral Commission are ineligible as well.

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Haiti's court system is basically designed after the French system of civil law, the Roman Law and the Napoleonic Code. It is divided into four levels. The highest level is the Court de Cassation, which is also known as the Supreme Court. Under it are the Courts of Appeals, Courts of First Instance and Justice of the Peace Courts. Each level hast its own kinds of cases to hear and deal with.

The Court of Cassation is composed of a president, vice-president and ten judges. The Supreme Court president is usually chosen and appointed by the country's president. There are certain requirements for Supreme Court judges. One has to be at least 30 years old and should have a decade of law practice. Only judges who have served as a judge or a public lawyer for seven years are qualified for the Supreme Court seat. The highest court deals with matters involving law and decree unconstitutionality.

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Haiti is run by a government with a bicameral legislature, which is composed of the Upper House (Senate) and the Lower House (Chamber of Deputies). These two houses make up the National Assembly, which is also known as a joint session of Parliament.

Based on the constitution, the National Assembly must be convened for specific reasons and purposes. When the National Assembly sets a meeting, important topics affecting the entire country are touched on. Such meetings are presided over by the Senate president, who is assisted by the president of the Chamber of Deputies. The secretaries of both houses, meanwhile, also serve the same role for the National Assembly.

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The Parliament of Haiti plays a vital role in the entire government. Without it, nothing will work on the country's legislation. The Parliament is the country's legislature, which consists of the Senate (Upper House) and the Chamber of Deputies (Lower House).

The Lower House is one of the houses comprising the bicameral Parliament. It has 99 members who are directly elected based on public votes. It holds greater power over the Upper House as it is the one making and proposing new legislations for the country. It has full control over certain laws such as those involving the budget and finances. The Lower House also has the authority to push for the impeachment of the president.

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Oath-taking is an act of making a promise and a vow. However, it is not as simple as that because oath-taking is not just about making a promise. It is about declaring that promise and vow upon something or someone sacred to the person taking the oath. Commonly, oath makers call on God to bear witness and bind the promise they make. This is to create solemnity and sincerity to the oath. Once an oath is taken, the maker is expected to do everything to keep that promise. Those failing to make true to their oath are expected to face divine displeasure. Being unable to fulfill the duties and responsibilities involved in the oath is something that illicit displeasure and great disappointment.

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The Haitian Prime Minister heads the country's government and shares executive powers with the head of state. The holder of the Prime Minister post is appointed by the incumbent president and gets approval from the National assembly.

The Prime Minister has the responsibility of law enforcement vested upon him and works alongside the president to ensure national defense.

Previous Haitian Prime Ministers:

February 9, 1988 - June 20, 1988 - Martial Célestin

June 20, 1988 - February 13, 1991 - Post abolished

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A cabinet reshuffle is commonly the only way to solve economic and social challenges faced by any country.

A cabinet reshuffle makes a way out for non-performing ministers and replaces them with fresh leadership. The action may also have ministers reassigned to different ministries. The exercise is done to get a non-performing nation back on course.

Prevailing leadership problems are as a result of the absence of proper management and vision in the government of a country and putting in place a new team helps regain confidence.

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