Military role in Honduras elections raises concerns among experts

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, tasked with ensuring transparent and impartial elections, is being closely watched because of concerns that its substitute judges align with prevailing political powers, especially those in government. This situation suggests the potential removal of the main council members, aiming to sway the council’s role in election management. There are worries regarding interference in party accreditation, the oversight of vote tallying, and the verification of election outcomes.

Potential influence over the CNE and dangers to voting transparency

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 come true, Honduras might encounter a crisis after the elections, greatly affecting political stability. Both domestic and global organizations have called for reinforcing the CNE’s autonomy and enhancing transparency within the election procedure. Doubts about having free elections with an election commission seen as under control lead to questions about the future government’s legitimacy.

Increasing concern about the military’s involvement in the voting process

At the same time, the armed forces are the object of accusations from the opposition, which denounces a boycott during the primary elections. There were reports of delays in the delivery of electoral material, the presence of military personnel with an intimidating effect in some polling stations, impeded access to polling stations and the paralysis of electoral transport in opposition areas. These incidents, documented by observers, generate fear of a militarization of the electoral process.

The growing involvement of the military in civil matters, driven by the reigning party, is seen as a strategy to reinforce their political dominance. This scenario brings up concerns about the neutrality of the military, whose established duty in election security is jeopardized by lack of transparency and political sway. Both the CNE and international monitors are encouraged to insist on impartiality and conduct thorough oversight. There is a warning that a potentially slanted action by the military could lead to a democratic crisis, casting doubt on voting freedom and the actions of institutions tasked with maintaining peace under political coercion.