Post by : Saif Rahman

Honduras is experiencing significant political turmoil as President Xiomara Castro declares that an “electoral coup” is underway amid the chaotic tallying of votes from the November 30 presidential election. Her declaration has triggered widespread reactions and sent many supporters to the streets.

On Tuesday, hundreds protested outside the National Electoral Council (CNE) in Tegucigalpa, the capital. Demonstrators burned leaves and car tires, demanding reliable and definitive results. The vote counting has been sluggish and plagued with issues, fueling voter anxiety and frustration.

This electoral process has been marred by technical malfunctions, fierce disputes, and serious allegations of fraud. Adding to the tension, former U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed conservative candidate Nasry Asfura and warned of potential cuts to U.S. financial support for Honduras if Asfura doesn’t win, intensifying international scrutiny.

President Castro, from the leftist LIBRE party, has been vocal against the vote transmission system, alleging that some factions aim to manipulate the election results. She pointed out evidence of threats, tampering, and altered tally sheets indicating an attempt to hijack the election.

Former President Manuel Zelaya, Castro’s husband and a prominent figure in the LIBRE party, also called on supporters to protest, stating that the electoral system had “failed” and was “fraudulent.” His comments led to additional demonstrations near ballot storage sites.

The electoral authorities have urged the public to maintain calm. CNE President Ana Paola Hall requested military protection for ballot storage locations and acknowledged discrepancies in many tally sheets. Nearly 14.5% of these sheets are contested and could potentially alter the election outcome.

As of Tuesday evening, conservative candidate Nasry Asfura held a lead of about 40,000 votes, ahead by a slim margin of 1.32 percentage points, underscoring the tightness of the race. Because many tally sheets require verification, the results remain preliminary.

Another significant contender, Salvador Nasralla from the Liberal Party, also claimed victory, asserting there were irregularities in the counting process. The LIBRE party has called for the cancellation of the entire election.

The CNE has until December 30 to declare the official winner, with the next president set to assume office for the 2026–2030 term. Until then, uncertainty lingers.

This isn't the first instance of upheaval in Honduras following an election; similar unrest occurred in 2017, resulting in over 30 fatalities due to protests following a disputed outcome. There are concerns that the current crisis may lead to comparable violence if mishandled.

The U.S. government is closely monitoring the electoral process, stating it will react “swiftly and decisively” to any identified irregularities. Observers reported that voting was relatively peaceful; however, the delays and technical issues have undermined public trust.

Heightening the situation is the scandal surrounding the Colombian firm ASD, responsible for the vote-counting system, with the CNE revealing that an individual linked to the company requested printed access keys to the system, raising alarm over security.

Former president Juan Orlando Hernandez has resurfaced in the headlines, facing a new arrest warrant despite residing outside of Honduras. Although previously convicted for drug trafficking in the United States, Hernandez argues that he is targeted by political rivals.

As the nation awaits final results, the populace is polarized and apprehensive, with many fearing for the integrity of their democracy. Conversations surrounding pressing national issues like corruption, drug trafficking, and poverty have been overshadowed by political squabbles and accusations.

In the critical weeks ahead, it is essential for the electoral body to act urgently and transparently to rebuild trust. Citizens must stay peaceful, and political leaders must refrain from exacerbating the crisis.

The legitimacy of the country's leadership depends on an equitable electoral process. Otherwise, Honduras risks confronting an even graver political and social crisis in the coming months.

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