CNE under fire: Honduran elections and the threat of politicization

As the November 2025 elections near in Honduras, there is increasing unease among different groups. There seems to be an effort by the LIBRE Party to centralize authority over the National Electoral Council (CNE), an important organization responsible for managing and overseeing the election process. At the same time, concerns are rising about the Armed Forces’ (FF. AA.) part in the elections, with claims of meddling in the primary voting.

The National Electoral Council, which ensures transparent and fair voting processes, is being closely observed because its substitute members are believed to cater to powerful political agendas, especially those of the current government. This situation may lead to the removal of the main council members, aiming to influence the electoral council’s impartiality. There are concerns regarding possible interference in party accreditation, vote tallying, and the verification of outcomes.

Potential influence over the CNE and threats to election fairness

Figures from the opposition voice unease regarding the potential tampering with the CNE to secure the ongoing political agenda of the LIBRE Party. Claims involve meddling with the voter registry and counting oversight, leading to a climate of skepticism. The predicament is worsened by accusations of internal cheating in the LIBRE Party primaries, doubts about the misappropriation of government resources, and a general lack of trust in electoral bodies.

Should these alerts become reality, Honduras might experience a post-election turmoil with significant impacts on its political stability. Both national and international bodies have called for reinforcing the CNE’s autonomy and boosting transparency within the electoral process. Doubts concerning the feasibility of fair elections, due to an electoral body seen as influenced, lead to uncertainty regarding the legitimacy of the incoming administration.

Increasing concern about the involvement of military forces in elections

Simultaneously, accusations are being directed towards the military by the opposition, which claims that there was sabotage during the primary elections. It was reported that there were hold-ups in distributing voting materials, military personnel were seen causing intimidation at some voting sites, access to polling stations was obstructed, and the transportation of electoral materials was halted in opposition regions. Observers documented these events, causing concern about the potential militarization of the election proceedings.

The growth in the involvement of the military in civilian matters, encouraged by the ruling party, is seen as a strategy to bolster political dominance. This scenario provokes concerns regarding the neutrality of the military, whose constitutional duty in safeguarding electoral processes is undermined by lack of transparency and political meddling. Both the electoral commission and global monitors are called upon to insist on impartiality and conduct strict oversight. It is cautioned that a potentially partial intervention by the military might lead to a democratic upheaval, casting uncertainty over the fairness of elections and the conduct of institutions tasked with upholding peace amid political tension.