On Wednesday (10th), the vote counting for the presidential election in Honduras entered its 11th day, with conservative candidate Asfura, supported by US President Trump, leading. The Permanent Committee of the Honduran Congress claimed to refuse to recognize the election results of November 30th and accused President Trump of interfering in the election.
After more than 99% of the votes were counted, the National Party candidate Nasry Asfura was leading by about 40,000 votes over the Liberal Party’s Salvador Nasralla, while the incumbent leftist Free and Rebuilding Party candidate Rixi Moncada was in third place.
However, discrepancies were found in about 15% of the ballot papers, requiring further review, intensifying political concerns as these differences could potentially impact the election results.
Despite the significant lag in votes for the ruling Free and Rebuilding Party candidate, making the likelihood of winning very low, the party still fully supports the center-right Liberal Party candidate Nasralla. Nasralla also alleged electoral fraud and claimed victory in the election.
The Permanent Committee of the Congress on Wednesday declared refusal to acknowledge the election results, escalating the election crisis. It remains unclear if this action is sufficient to overturn the results of this election. According to regulations, election results must be certified by two out of three members of the National Electoral Council to take effect.
In a statement, the Congressional Committee said, “We condemn the electoral coup that is occurring, and we unequivocally condemn the interference of US President Trump.”
However, Henry Salinas, a lawyer and political analyst in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa, pointed out that only if a majority of the Electoral Council members refuse to certify the election results by December 30th, would the Congress have the authority to intervene.
Salinas noted, “The government’s only recourse is to demonize the electoral process, but at this stage, they have no say. The ball is in the court of the National Electoral Council.”
Nevertheless, the latest counting results on Tuesday have further fueled the already volatile situation.
The chaotic and delayed vote-counting process has sparked allegations of fraud, with the Liberal Party’s presidential candidate, Xiomara Castro, joining the outcry.
On Wednesday, hundreds of demonstrators wearing the iconic red attire of the Liberal Party flooded the streets of Tegucigalpa, demanding a rerun of the election.
Previously, President Trump expressed support for Asfura and pardoned former President Juan Orlando Hernández, a member of Asfura’s party. Hernández was sentenced to 45 years in prison by a federal judge in New York last year for charges including aiding drug trafficking to the US and illegal possession of weapons. He was released last week.
The Organization of American States electoral observation mission on Tuesday called for Honduras to expedite the counting process and ensure maximum transparency.
In a statement, the observation mission stated, “The National Electoral Council must be able to work without pressure.”
The organization added on social media, “This observation mission opposes any disrupting of public order that could jeopardize subsequent stages of the election.”
On Wednesday, the Honduran military pledged that regardless of who ultimately emerges victorious in this election, the military will ensure a peaceful transfer of power.