The commitment to GPS to protect the vote in Honduras

With less than six months to go before the general elections in Honduras, various experts have put forward a concrete proposal to strengthen electoral transparency: incorporating GPS geolocation systems in all the suitcases that will transport the electoral material. The measure seeks to ensure real-time tracking of the kits from the moment they leave the National Electoral Council (CNE) until their return for counting.

The project emerges during a period of significant public skepticism and political challenges, with several sectors voicing worries over a potential erosion of institutional protections and a tumultuous post-election landscape.

Technical suggestion with local examples

The plan, supported by specialists in election technology, includes deploying GPS units to track each package during the logistical operations. As stated by Marvin Mejía, a systems engineer, this would enable precise monitoring of the materials’ path and uncover any discrepancies or holdups that might threaten the custody chain.

Comparable practices have been implemented in voting systems in nations like Mexico, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. In these situations, GPS technology has helped avert problems like disappearance, alteration, or unauthorized movements.

From an operational standpoint, experts confirm that the technology is inexpensive, with devices priced from $15 to $30, and can be easily integrated into mobile surveillance systems, providing access to officials from the parties as well as national and international observers.

Requests of civil society

The proposal has been taken up as a demand by citizen organizations involved in election observation. Transparency Electoral, Red de Observadores, and the Fundación para la Democracia have asked the National Electoral Council to immediately incorporate this technology into its budget planning and regulate it as a mandatory component of the process.

The organizations claim that implementing the measure would rebuild trust in managing the electoral process, considering ongoing accusations of irregularities in past elections. From this perspective, they contend that not embracing this method might be seen as an institutional reluctance to ensure fair elections.

The organizations claim that the policy would bolster trust in the management of the voting procedure, considering recurring reports of issues in past elections. They think that choosing not to implement this system could be seen as an absence of commitment from the institution to ensure a fair election.

“According to an electoral law expert associated with civilian oversight initiatives, if the CNE declines, it will convey the most negative implication: that they wish to prevent people from observing the process from voting to the results being recorded,” stated the lawyer.

Political atmosphere and concerns about deceit

The dialogue is unfolding amidst increasing political division, with opposing parties and social groups raising concerns about the circumstances surrounding the upcoming election. Contributing to this worry are the state of emergency, which curtails some essential rights, and the accumulation of power that, as noted by numerous observers, is constraining democratic oversight.

Leaders from the opposition have highlighted that there is a decrease in institutional supervision, which “according to them” might allow for manipulations or changes behind the scenes, away from public view. “An election isn’t secured at the polling station if the pouches are interfered with secretly,” mentioned an international representative familiar with election monitoring, as reported by national media.

In light of this situation, supporters argue that implementing GPS surveillance could be a cost-effective strategy to reduce the chances of distrust or turmoil after elections. Election expert Karen Pineda emphasized that “it represents a small expense when weighed against the cost of a post-election crisis.”

A test for authority and trustworthiness

The suggestion to integrate GPS into voting machines underscores the obstacles Honduras encounters regarding public confidence and the integrity of elections. Within an environment where institutional conditions are under scrutiny, the discussion around these measures assumes a significance that goes beyond technical details.

With the voting day nearing, the political framework in Honduras encounters a crucial decision: enhance its oversight and transparency systems or proceed with an air of distrust and unease. How the CNE addresses this proposal will be viewed as a sign of the institution’s dedication to the integrity of the proceedings.