Port-au-Prince, July 25 (RHC)-- Haiti's interim president Jocelerme Privert has signed a decree calling for new elections on October 9, months after the October 2015 General Elections were declared invalid due to alleged irregularities, news outlets reported.  In a message to the nation, the president declared that "elections are vital for the country's future." 

Privert, who before taking office last February 15 was president of the Senate, also added that "without the October elections the Parliament will not be able to operate next year. There are 10 senators who complete their mandates this year end and without them we will not have a parliament."

The interim president accused the parliament of "lethargy" in resolving the political crisis. "The people will suffer but they are in no hurry to improve the situation of people."  He said that the elections will cost $55 million, and urged everyone to participate in the elections for the "continuation of democracy in Haiti."