The Permanent Electoral Council is responsible for organizing and controlling with complete independence all electoral procedures throughout the territory of the Republic until the results of the election are announced.

The Council also drafts the Electoral Bill that it submits to the Executive Branch for the necessary purposes.

The Council sees to it that the electoral lists are kept up-to-date.

The Permanent Electoral Council consists of nine (9) members chosen from a list of three (3) names proposed by each of the Departmental Assemblies:

3 are chosen by the Supreme Court;

3 are chosen by the National Assembly.

The above-mentioned organs see to it as far as possible that each of the Departments are represented.

Members of the Permanent Electoral Council must:

1. Be native-born Haitians;

2. Have attained forty (40) years of age;

3. Enjoy civil and political rights and never have been sentenced to death, personal constraint or penal servitude or the loss of civil rights;

4. Have been relieved of their responsibilities if they have been handling public funds;

5. Have resided in the country at least three (3) years before their nomination.

Members of the Permanent Electoral Council are appointed for a nine (9) year nonrenovable period. They may not be removed from office.

One-third of the members of the Permanent Electoral Council are replaced every three (3) years. The President is chosen form among its members.

Before taking office, the members of the Permanent Electoral Council take the following oath before the Supreme Court;

"I swear to respect the Constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Law and to discharge my duties with dignity, independence, impartiality and patriotism."

In the event of a serious offense committed in the discharge of their duties, the members of the Permanent Electoral Council are liable for prosecution before the High Court of Justice.

The seat of the Permanent electoral Council is in the capital. Its jurisdiction extends throughout the territory of the Republic.

Members of the Permanent electoral Council may not hold any other public post, nor may they be a candidate of an elective post during their term.

In the event of dismissal, a member of the Council must wait three (3) years before he may run for an elective post.

The Permanent Electoral Council shall rule on all disputes arising either in elections or in the enforcement or the violation of the Electoral Law, subject to any legal prosecution undertaken against an offender or offenders before the courts of competent jurisdiction.

In the event of a vacancy caused by a depth, resignation or any other reason, the member shall be replaced following the procedure established in article 192 for the remainder of his term, taking into account the branch of government that had designated the member to be replaced.

The law determines the rules for organization and operation of the Permanent Electoral Council.