Interim mayors who want to run in Haiti's elections must resign by Thursday, October 15, the Ministry of the Interior reminded them in a memo on Tuesday, October 13.

Article 388 of the revised electoral decree gives these officials, known as interim executive agents, seven days from the decree's October 8 publication to step down. The ministry stressed “the mandatory nature of this provision.”

The deadline for ministers, directors general and other senior officials has already passed. Article 387 required them to resign within a month of the stability pact signed on February 21. No member of the government had publicly announced a run or resigned, the Haitian Times reported.

Two officials are in the spotlight. Delmas Mayor Wilson Jeudy is the only interim mayor registered online as a presidential candidate and must resign by October 15 to continue. Miragoâne prosecutor Jean Ernest Muscadin is the only prosecutor registered for president. He has not publicly announced a resignation, and the electoral council has not said whether he filed the required documents.

Online registration alone does not validate a candidacy. Candidates must also submit proof of resignation where required. Registration has been extended to October 31, and the final candidate list, first due on October 14, has no new date.

The first round is still officially set for December 13. A source at the electoral council said reports of a postponement were unofficial, but told the Haitian Times that a delay seemed likely.