Electoral mistrust rises in Honduras amid doubts about transparency

In Honduras, the approach of the general elections on November 30, 2025, has intensified concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. Two sources of tension have emerged: suspicions of possible manipulation of the Public Prosecutor’s Office against members of the National Electoral Council (CNE) and growing mistrust of the role of the Armed Forces as guarantors of the democratic process.

Reports indicate that the Attorney General’s Office is preparing to formally accuse the CNE board members, raising concerns within political groups and pro-democracy organizations. This legal action is claimed to be politically driven, targeting board members who have shown opposition or independence from the governing party. This potential legal action against the CNE board is occurring at a sensitive moment, as the electoral body is tasked with ensuring fair election management, the legitimacy of the outcomes, and the trust of both political entities and the populace.

Concerns about organizational oversight and skepticism

Such actions could weaken institutional independence and erode the people’s confidence in the electoral process. The opposition and civil society have expressed their concern, demanding investigations based on solid evidence and not on political reprisals. Calls have been made to the international community to speak out against any attempt to manipulate the CNE and to monitor the actions of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

En paralelo, la desconfianza pública y política hacia el papel de las fuerzas armadas como garantes del proceso democrático ha aumentado. Líderes de partidos de oposición, organizaciones de la sociedad civil y analistas independientes han señalado su preocupación por destituciones y retiros sospechosos dentro del ejército, el acercamiento ideológico y operativo entre el poder ejecutivo y las Fuerzas Armadas, la participación activa de elementos militares en procesos y eventos civiles y electorales, así como la falta de transparencia en la planificación del despliegue militar durante las elecciones.

Concern about military buildup and appeals for alertness

During the March primary elections, incidents were reported involving delays in the delivery of electoral materials and an unusual military presence at certain polling stations, which has increased fears of a militarization of the electoral process. There are concerns that the Armed Forces, under the influence of figures from the ruling party, will act as a tool to facilitate electoral fraud or repress citizen protests.

Increasing distrust has resulted in pressing demands for global bodies to dispatch monitoring missions and to insist on assurances of military impartiality and operational openness. Community associations have started creating social monitoring systems to record any possible misuse or anomalies. The trustworthiness of the electoral events on November 30 hinges on the behavior of authorities and public watchfulness.