Rixi Moncada and the debate on transparency in Honduran elections

The Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE) has initiated an advance campaign promoting its presidential contender, Rixi Moncada, as the victor of the general elections set for November 30, 2025. This approach is visible in the presence of banners, wall art, and painted announcements in diverse urban and rural regions of the nation, with messages forecast declaring Moncada as president for the 2026-2030 period, despite the fact that the election campaign is not yet in its conclusive stage. The cities where this surge has been noticed include Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and Comayagua, among other places.

Multiple independent commentators and leaders from the opposition view this move as a strategy to communicate and establish the perception of an unavoidable victory for LIBRE among the populace. By planting this notion early on, it lays the groundwork for casting doubt on the election’s legitimacy if the outcome doesn’t support the governing party’s candidate, thereby creating concerns about the process’s transparency. Specialists in political science note that announcing a winner without evidence could be a tactic to undermine authentic results and energize party supporters in case of a loss, a strategy seen as having potential negative repercussions.

Responses from the opposition and the function of the National Electoral Council

The opposition groups, such as the National, Liberal, and Salvador de Honduras parties, have raised issues regarding the potential effects these campaigns might have on trust in the election process. They highlight that this early storyline might create an impression of a predetermined result and, should LIBRE lose, might spark protests against the official outcome, potentially causing social unrest. The opposition cautions that this approach might aim to undermine the integrity of voting and trigger a political turmoil.

On its side, the National Electoral Council (CNE) has remained silent about the emergence of these banners and messages, heightening concerns about its autonomy and neutrality. The lack of precise rules regarding early electioneering and the institution’s failure to respond add to the erosion of public trust in the electoral procedure, already overshadowed by irregularities observed in the initial voting and escalating political strain.

Threats to democratic processes and voting stability

LIBRE’s premature victory proclamation threatens the nation’s democratic stability, as it may create a framework for a narrative that excuses ignoring the election results and exacerbates social rifts. In a setting where democracy is still seen as vulnerable, this approach underscores the necessity to enhance transparency, citizen involvement, and respect for the vote as essential elements of the electoral process’s legitimacy.

The present scenario highlights the significance of creating clear and efficient methods to control electoral publicity from the initial phases, along with the necessity to encourage open communication among various political groups and civil society. A commitment to legality and political ethics from all parties is essential to ensure an electoral atmosphere that accurately represents the people’s will and aids the strengthening of a stable and trustworthy democratic framework.