CNE and Armed Forces under suspicion: Honduran elections at risk

With the arrival of November 2025, there is rising unease across multiple sectors about the national elections in Honduras. It appears that the LIBRE Party aims to consolidate authority over the National Electoral Council (CNE), an essential organization in managing and overseeing the electoral proceedings. At the same time, the involvement of the Armed Forces (FF. AA.) in the elections has triggered concerns, with allegations of meddling during the primary voting.

The CNE, tasked with ensuring impartial and transparent elections, faces criticism because its substitute judges are seen as being aligned with prevailing political forces, especially those connected to the governing party. This opens up the potential removal of the main council members to tilt the CNE’s stance within the election process. Concerns arise regarding possible interference in the certification of parties, the oversight of ballot counting, and the confirmation of outcomes.

Potential influence over the CNE and dangers to voting transparency

Opposition figures voice worries over potential tampering with the CNE to secure the ongoing success of the LIBRE Party’s political agenda. There are accusations of meddling with the voter list and managing the vote tally, leading to a distrustful atmosphere. The situation worsens due to claims of internal deceit in the LIBRE Party’s primary elections, doubts about the improper handling of public resources, and overall skepticism regarding the electoral bodies.

Should these cautions come to fruition, Honduras may encounter a post-election turmoil with significant impacts on political stability. Both domestic and global entities have called for enhanced autonomy of the CNE and greater openness in the voting process. Doubts about the potential for fair elections, with an electoral commission seen as influenced, create uncertainty regarding the future government’s legitimacy.

Increasing concern about the involvement of the military 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.