Honduras is at a crossroads as citizens prepare to go to the polls in a tightly contested presidential election. Voting started on Sunday, with polling places scheduled to close at 5 p.m. in the local time zone. This election comes on the heels of a very contentious period marked by growing pressure from the US. Honduras finds itself at the eye of this crisis, as it today fights against the highest per capita homicide rate in all of Central America.
Over the past few years, residents have reported a greater sense of security despite still feeling insecure than before. With more than 225 accredited election observers on the ground, the process is to ensure transparency and a safe environment. Over 4,000 observers from Honduras and abroad are currently on the ground actively observing nearly 6,000 polling places. Their presence reminds us of the real importance of a peaceful, fair, and equitable election. The electoral council will begin to announce preliminary results at 9 p.m. Watch this space because official results can take up to 30 days to certify.
Security and Economic Priorities
Each day many Hondurans long for new leadership as they face the odds stacked against them.
Despite the country’s recent successes in improving safety, the grim history of the country’s violence-stricken past shaded any discussion of progress. And wide ranging voters support measures of effectiveness by delivering benefits economic opportunity and safety. A young voter named Nancy Serrano articulated her hopes for change: “I’m voting for the first time, and top of mind for me is ‘enough with corruption.’”
Voters such as Cristian Zelaya say they have lost faith in any politician. “I don’t believe in politicians. Politicians are garbage. They use you like a ladder (to move up),” he stated, reflecting widespread disillusionment among the electorate.
The Candidates and Political Dynamics
This election is notable for the number of high-profile candidates. Among other notable features of the race, Salvador Nasralla is attempting his fourth presidential run as the conservative Liberal Party’s nominee. His opponent from the rightwing National Party is former Tegucigalpa Mayor Nasry “Tito” Asfura. Rixi Moncada is in the running, from the social democratic LIBRE party. She is an immediate past finance secretary and then defense secretary under President Castro.
The implications of US involvement to an already fraught political landscape has only added complexity. Recently, former President Donald Trump endorsed Asfura while simultaneously attacking his opponents. This endorsement seems to represent the beginning of a reactivation from part of Washington, with respect to the political scenarios in Latin America.
Trump’s corrosive influence sparkles even more with his announcement this week that he intends to issue an ex- President Juan Orlando Hernández a pardon. Hernández is now serving a 45 year sentence in a US prison on charges of drug trafficking. Hernández’s presidency was marked by significant controversy, and Trump’s support has raised eyebrows among voters who are wary of external influence on their elections.
Voter Sentiment and Observations
Perceptions among voters are still on edge given that many Hondurans have lived through and experienced electoral violence and fraud. The mood on the ground at polling centers is a complex mix of a population desperate for change but fearful about what foreign presence means.
Dozens of voters formed long lines outside polling stations on Sunday morning. Their commitment to engaging with the democratic process was obvious, despite having to contend with a late start. “We were allowed in about 30 minutes after the official start of voting,” noted one observer outside of a local school turned polling site.
In addition, the presence of both national and international observers helps to provide for a transparent process. Their hope for change is backed by a commitment to democracy that runs deep among Hondurans—even as clouds continue to gather and threaten their fragile political landscape.
