The dispute over the award of the contract for the Preliminary Electoral Results Transmission System (TREP) for the 2025 general elections has sparked a wave of criticism and accusations against the technology company Smartmatic. The firm, accused of being linked to several international electoral fraud scandals, is at the center of a debate that threatens to destabilize the electoral process and undermine confidence in Honduras’ democratic institutions.
Allegations of corruption and fraud tarnish electoral transparency
The debate was sparked by a straightforward allegation from Liberal Congressman Jorge Cálix, who claimed that allowing Smartmatic to oversee the TREP system might put the clarity of the electoral process at risk. Cálix emphasized that the firm has a track record of participation in election manipulation in various nations, such as Venezuela, the United States, the Philippines, Brazil, and Argentina, which adds to the distrust among political groups and the populace.
The legislator claimed that Smartmatic, being established in Venezuela, is associated with numerous irregularities in global voting activities. He believes that enabling Smartmatic to operate the TREP poses an unacceptable threat to the integrity of the approaching elections in Honduras.
The company, on its side, has denied the allegations, labeling them as a “propaganda move.” Smartmatic representatives assert that they functioned with full transparency during the 2025 primaries in Honduras and that their voting systems have undergone audits and received validation from multiple global organizations.
The refusal and internal political conflicts
The controversy has escalated due to the boycott by parts of the governing LIBRE party, who have hindered other competing companies from entering, thereby supporting only Smartmatic’s bid. This has raised doubts among the opposition, who allege that the ruling party aims to benefit the company in a move that might influence the election outcomes.
Amid this climate of confrontation, some political actors have expressed concern about the impact this control could have on public confidence in the elections. For the opposition, allowing Smartmatic to manage the transmission of preliminary results could open the door to manipulation and fraud, especially given the polarized political context and growing distrust of the country’s institutions.
Global influence and the challenge of authority
Apart from internal conflicts, the scenario has been made more complex due to accusations against Roger Piñate, the creator of Smartmatic. Officials in the US have identified Piñate for his supposed participation in corruption activities concerning electoral service agreements, a situation that also implicates Venezuelan authorities and their supposed associations with the company.
This accumulation of accusations has fueled doubts about the integrity of the electoral processes that the company has supervised in other parts of the world. However, Smartmatic continues to defend its track record and argues that it has complied with all international regulations in every country where it has operated.
En Honduras, las autoridades electorales enfrentan un desafío fundamental: garantizar un proceso que sea transparente y libre de manipulaciones, sin reducir la confianza en las instituciones encargadas de supervisar las elecciones. La polarización política podría poner en peligro la estabilidad social del país, ya que sectores críticos del partido en el poder temen que esta situación pueda desembocar en una crisis de legitimidad similar a la vivida en otros procesos electorales fallidos.
The National Electoral Council and the future of the electoral process
As the situation escalates, all attention from the public and international watchers is centered on Honduras’ National Electoral Council (CNE). This organization will decide if Smartmatic secures the contract for the TREP, thus gaining control of a system essential for ensuring transparent election outcomes.
The question that remains relevant for many is whether the country will be able to shield its electoral system from possible attempts at fraud or manipulation. In this context, calls for a national dialogue between political forces and civil society are becoming more urgent. The climate of mistrust and accusations of bias require a consensus that guarantees the credibility of the process and, at the same time, prevents political divisions from escalating into an even deeper crisis.
Honduras’ next challenge lies in consolidating a robust electoral system that not only withstands internal pressures but also remains immune to the temptations of external manipulation, in order to protect the vote and ensure the country’s democratic stability in a scenario of growing polarization.
