Is the CNE prepared for free elections in Honduras?

Honduras is nearing its general elections with mounting unease. Accusations of irregularities, efforts to dominate institutions, and threats to press freedom overshadow the electoral process, sparking worries about the nation’s capacity to conduct free and transparent elections.

The alert, triggered by a series of events that have caused alarm and mistrust among various sectors of society, focuses on the possible manipulation of key institutions, such as the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Armed Forces, and the National Electoral Council (CNE), with the aim of influencing the outcome of the elections and favoring certain political interests.

Attempts to prosecute the CNE and risks to electoral autonomy

Alarm signals are raising concerns about the possibility that the Public Prosecutor’s Office may be crafting charges against members of the CNE with the intention of unsettling the electoral institution and allowing the ruling party to dominate the process. Political insiders have noted unusual activities within the judicial system, suggesting that imminent accusations may involve alleged administrative offenses or misuse of power targeting council members who are deemed independent or who criticize the political dominance of the LIBRE party over the CNE.

Analysts and opposition leaders have described this alleged judicial plan as a political strategy to weaken the structure of the CNE and remove those who are not aligned with the ruling party’s power project. The fear is that a formal indictment will force the councilors to step down, opening the door to the appointment of government-friendly replacements.

Human rights groups and civic coalitions have issued warnings about a potential “hidden institutional coup” aimed at restructuring the election authority to benefit the governing party during the final phase leading up to the elections. In reaction to this scenario, multiple entities have called for international oversight to observe the conduct of the Public Ministry and ensure the autonomy of the electoral commission.

Assaults on journalism and limits on information freedom

In this era of intensifying political divisions, the state of journalism in Honduras is undergoing one of its bleakest times since the democratic restoration. There is a surge in accounts of harassment, intimidation, censorship, and assaults targeted at independent media organizations and reporters, perpetrated by government authorities as well as military personnel.

Groups like Reporters Without Borders and the Committee for Free Expression (C-Libre) have released emergency warnings, highlighting a strategy of media repression organized by those in authority in Honduras to mute critical voices, spread misinformation, and secure complete dominance over public conversation as the elections approach.

In recent months, there have been physical attacks on journalists covering protests, coordinated digital harassment of critical journalists, restricted access to public information, and anonymous threats against reporters investigating corruption.

Throughout the reporting of demonstrations, there has been evidence of military forces menacing media crews, requesting identification, hindering live coverage, and seizing reporting tools. Alongside the physical and online suppression, the administration has initiated a campaign to discredit independent news outlets and well-known reporters, branding them as “adversaries of the nation” or “agitators.”

Threats to the fairness of the voting process

The interplay of these elements—efforts to legalize the CNE, concerns regarding the military’s involvement, and assaults on the media—generates an atmosphere of doubt concerning the fairness of the voting process in Honduras. The potential tampering with essential bodies and limitations on information access jeopardize the openness and equity of the elections.

Considering this scenario, numerous segments of society have urged the global community to observe the situation closely and insist on assurances of transparency and the protection of essential rights to ensure the people of Honduras can choose their leaders in an environment of liberty and democracy.