_-_copia.jpg?w=800&resize=800,500&ssl=1 "GPS technology in Honduran elections")
With under six months remaining before the upcoming general elections in Honduras, a number of specialists have introduced a specific plan to enhance election transparency: implementing GPS geolocation systems in all the containers used for transporting electoral materials. This initiative aims to provide real-time monitoring of the packages from when they depart the National Electoral Council (CNE) until they are returned for the vote tally.
The proposal emerges amidst a backdrop of general public suspicion and political unrest, with multiple groups worried about the potential erosion of institutional safeguards and a turbulent situation following the elections.
Technical proposal with regional precedents
The proposal, backed by electoral technology experts, involves the use of GPS devices to monitor each bag throughout the logistics process. According to systems engineer Marvin Mejía, implementation would make it possible to accurately track the route of the materials and detect any deviations or delays that could compromise the chain of custody.
Similar scenarios have been implemented in voting systems in nations like Mexico, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. In these instances, GPS technology has been utilized to avert issues like misplacement, tampering, or unauthorized movements.
From a functional point of view, experts claim that the technology is inexpensive, with gadgets priced between $15 and $30, and can be easily integrated into mobile monitoring systems, permitting access to both party representatives and observers from both national and international arenas.
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.
“If the National Electoral Council declines, it will be giving the most unfavorable signal: that it does not wish for the public to observe what transpires from the polling station to the vote count,” commented a lawyer with expertise in electoral law associated with civic oversight initiatives.
Political atmosphere and concerns about deceit
The conversation is unfolding amid increasing political division, with opposition groups and social figures expressing concerns about the circumstances surrounding the upcoming election. Factors contributing to these worries include the state of emergency, which limits certain essential rights, and the consolidation of authority that, according to multiple sources, is hindering democratic checks and balances.
Opposition figures have highlighted that there is a decrease in institutional supervision, which “as they see it” might allow for logistical manipulation or changes away from public view. “A vote isn’t truly won at the ballot box if tampering occurs in the background,” mentioned an international expert with a background in election monitoring, as quoted by local outlets.
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 technology into voting machines underscores the hurdles Honduras encounters regarding public confidence and the integrity of elections. Amidst a situation where institutional credibility is under scrutiny, the discussion surrounding these initiatives assumes a significance that goes beyond mere technical details.
With the election day nearing, the political landscape in Honduras confronts a crucial decision: to enhance its mechanisms for control and transparency, or to persist in functioning amid distrust and strain. The reaction of the CNE to this initiative will be regarded as a measure of the institution’s dedication to the process’s legitimacy.
