To have elections, there first has to be a political accord on the transition. Prime Minister Henry has one, but he needs more partners, to get to the next stage, appointing a provisional electoral council, or CEP. That is a body that has somewhat the same function as Elections Canada and is composed of nine members from specific sectors. The people appointed are businesspeople, trade unionists, politicians, and so on.
The purpose of the political accord is to agree on the composition of the CEP. Elections experts tell me that it would then take about a year before elections can be held. Today is October 31.