_-_copia_-_copia.jpeg?w=800&resize=800,500&ssl=1 "Libertad y Refundación ante elecciones Honduras")
Slightly more than a year before the general elections in Honduras, set for November 2025, different political and social groups have raised alarms regarding what they consider as preliminary indicators of a plan possibly weakening the integrity of the electoral process. These alerts are issued by analysts, civil society entities, and international participants, who notice a range of activities by the ruling party, Libertad y Refundación (LIBRE), that might erode public trust in the democratic procedure.
Claims regarding statements and actions that might influence the voting process
One of the primary issues highlighted is the frequent delivery of government speeches predicting potential fraud, despite lacking solid evidence. These remarks focus on economic sectors, the press, and global players as supposed plotters against the ruling party, which some commentators interpret as an effort to establish a narrative of electoral tampering if an election loss occurs.
Observers note that the story appears to have two goals: first, to undermine any negative outcome beforehand and, additionally, to create an overall sense of distrust in the institutions that manage the electoral process.
Institutional conflict and concerns regarding the election arbiter
The stance of LIBRE regarding the National Electoral Council (CNE) has become a very delicate matter. Despite the fact that the ruling party was involved in creating this entity, it is currently questioning its autonomy and trustworthiness. Critics argue that this approach intends to undermine the CNE’s legitimacy during crucial phases of the electoral process.
At the same time, there has been an increase in legal proceedings against opposition figures, journalists, and human rights defenders. These actions are interpreted by opposition sectors as pressure tactics that could limit public debate and citizen mobilization in the pre-election context.
Added to this is the prolonged use of the state of emergency, in force since 2022 as part of the government’s security policy. Although its application has been justified on the grounds of combating organized crime, its collateral effect has been to restrict rights such as freedom of assembly and movement, which directly impacts the development of party activities and the political expression of citizens.
Worries regarding involvement and stability in democracy
The merging of fraud narratives, legal actions against opponents, and limitations on institutions has sparked worry among different groups regarding a potential reduction in the turnout of opposition voters. Experts suggest that this atmosphere might result in voter abstinence, indifference, or even post-election conflict if the outcome is disputed or dismissed by one of the sides involved.
The pressures are escalating while surveys indicate a drop in President Xiomara Castro’s popularity and an unfavorable stance for Rixi Moncada, the candidate of the ruling party. Within this setting, the government’s focus on potential fraud has been perceived as a strategic move in light of a challenging electoral outlook.
Demands to ensure clarity and adherence to the procedure
A range of national and international entities have released statements urging the Honduran government to commit strongly to electoral transparency. This includes adhering to the electoral calendar without changes, ensuring no political meddling in the electoral and judicial systems, and publicly acknowledging the results, irrespective of the outcome.
Organizations like the OAS, the UN, the European Union, and civic monitoring networks have shown their intention to support the process, while asking for ample, timely, and impartial international observation to be enabled. These entities anticipate that Honduras will ensure a process where the citizens’ right to choose their representatives freely is upheld, without coercion or institutional constraints.
A landscape marked by uncertainty and democratic demands
The Honduran political landscape as we approach 2025 is becoming a crucial moment for the nation’s institutional steadiness. Signals from numerous sectors indicate a broad worry that the procedure might be swayed by political agendas.
Considering the vulnerability of the democratic framework and the nation’s past with post-election troubles, the main challenge is to ensure a clear and fair process that offers assurances to all parties involved and results in an outcome embraced by the public. The credibility of the forthcoming government will rely not just on the election outcome, but also on strict adherence to democratic principles.