Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council has dismissed Wally Dessence, president of the West 1 departmental electoral office (BED), Vant Bèf Info reported, citing a source close to the council. The decision was taken on Thursday, October 29.

According to that source, Dessence, described as a veteran of the electoral system, must leave his post with immediate effect and return all of the institution's equipment and documents. No replacement was named.

The dismissal is reportedly linked to his handling of the candidacy of former Nippes government commissioner Jean Ernest Muscadin. On October 29, the BED declared the documents submitted by the candidate inadmissible and allowed a justice of the peace to draw up an official report of the decision.

The council appears to be reminding departmental officials of the need for “rigor, restraint and discretion” in their work, the outlet said. The electoral council had not commented publicly on the dismissal.