Post by : Saif Rahman

The political landscape in Honduras is increasingly tumultuous as the outcomes of the presidential election held on November 30 remain unclear after 11 days of delays in counting. On Wednesday, a standing committee of the Honduran Congress announced it would not recognize the results, alleging that an “electoral coup” was in progress. The group also accused U.S. President Donald Trump of meddling in Honduras' election.

The electoral proceedings have been riddled with confusion, technical difficulties, and numerous fraud allegations. There have been no updates on the vote count for the past 24 hours, inciting anger among various political factions and the populace. As per the latest available data, with over 99% of ballots tallied, Nasry Asfura from the conservative National Party holds a lead of approximately 40,000 votes. His principal opponent, Salvador Nasralla of the center-right Liberal Party, continues to assert he is the legitimate victor. Meanwhile, President Xiomara Castro's LIBRE party, currently in third place, is backing Nasralla and questioning the integrity of the election process.

The Congress panel stated that it will not endorse the ongoing results, arguing that foreign influence has tainted the election. It issued fervent criticisms towards President Trump for his public endorsement of Asfura during the vote counting. Trump had previously hinted at consequences should preliminary results be altered and had pardoned former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, a member of Asfura’s party, who was serving a lengthy sentence in the U.S. for drug-related offenses.

Legal experts note that the Congress can only intervene if two of the three members of the National Electoral Council decline to validate the results by December 30. Thus far, the final judgment resides with the Council, with political pressures significantly escalating. Analyst Henry Salinas remarked that the government’s approach appears focused on discrediting the electoral process, lacking direct authority to halt it.

The situation deteriorated further when countless LIBRE advocates filled the streets of Tegucigalpa, showcasing their red shirts, the emblem of their party, as they called for a new election. Many among the public believe that discrepancies affecting about 15% of the tally sheets could alter the election outcome, thus amplifying public skepticism.

International organizations are closely monitoring the situation. The Organization of American States (OAS) urged the National Electoral Council to expedite the vote counting process with transparency. It highlighted the critical importance of allowing the Council to fulfill its duties without external pressures or political threats. The OAS also cautioned all stakeholders against jeopardizing public order amid this delicate period.

This ongoing crisis has fostered a tense and unpredictable atmosphere in Honduras. Allegations of fraud, warnings from foreign leaders, and escalating protests have collectively shaken the public’s confidence. With a definitive resolution still pending, the nation faces a challenging pathway toward clarity and stability.

For the people of Honduras, the anxious wait continues as they seek a fair and transparent outcome. The world watches intently as the country navigates through one of its most challenging elections in recent history.

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