Haiti's government on Wednesday created a provisional electoral council, marking the most concrete step toward reviving the electoral process in years after political turmoil and later violence thwarted previous attempts.

Haiti began moves towards holding its first elections since 2016 — albeit they may not take place until 2026.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Haiti’s government on Wednesday created a provisional electoral council long sought by the international community to prepare the troubled Caribbean country for its first general elections since 2016.

Haiti's government on Wednesday created a provisional electoral council, an initial step needed to hold the Caribbean nation's first general elections since 2016. Haiti's transitional presidential council - a separate body which has been acting as the government since it was installed in April - established the electoral council in a meeting,

Haiti's government established a provisional electoral council to aim for elections by 2026, filling seven out of nine seats with representatives from diverse sectors. The last general elections were held in 2016.

Haiti's government has taken a key step towards holding long-delayed elections with the creation of a body which will oversee the polls. The nine-member provisional electoral council - set up on Wednesday - has been tasked with organising elections by February 2026. The last time Haitians voted someone into power was in 2016.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on a visit to Haiti on Thursday that he hoped to see an electoral council established soon to organize elections in the Caribbean country next year.

Haiti’s government on Wednesday created a provisional electoral council long sought by the international community to prepare the troubled Caribbean country for its first general elections since 2016.

Holding a representative election will be impossible until the security situation improves dramatically, particularly in Port-au-Prince — and it may require compromise instead of coercion.