OAS Electoral Mission in Honduras Presents Report on General Elections to the OAS Permanent Council

Press Release

OAS Electoral Mission in Honduras Presents Report on General Elections to the OAS Permanent Council

The Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) of the Organization of American States (OAS) for the general elections in Honduras, led by former Foreign Minister of Paraguay Eladio Loizaga, presented a report today to the OAS Permanent Council regarding the elections held on November 30, as well as the supplementary election held on December 7 in the municipality of San Antonio de Flores.

The OAS/EOM, which has comprehensively monitored the Honduran electoral process since the pre-electoral stage-including the observation of primary elections, a preliminary visit to the country, and direct observation of election day and the post-electoral process-deployed 101 observers of 19 nationalities who visited 780 polling stations and 325 voting centers across the country's 18 departments.

The Mission noted that election day proceeded normally and with high voter turnout, with the exception of isolated incidents. However, the report warns that the process was marked by internal conflicts among electoral authorities, delays in making key decisions, and technical deficiencies in the use of technological tools for processing results.

In this regard, the Chief of Mission, Eladio Loizaga, pointed out to the Permanent Council that, "we have seen delays, but no indications that would lead us to doubt the results," and underscored that the physical tally sheets constitute the core of the electoral system.

The OAS/EOM also expressed concern regarding the circulation of fraud narratives by various political actors, which, according to the report, have damaged citizen trust and democratic institutions. In this sense, former Foreign Minister Loizaga stated that, "Honduran electoral authorities consistently placed their partisan interests above the success of the electoral process."

Regarding the post-electoral stage, the Mission acknowledged the existence of delays in the management of electoral material and computer systems but emphasized that no malice or deliberate manipulation has been observed. Likewise, it recalled that Honduran legislation clearly establishes challenge mechanisms and that only the competent electoral authorities are empowered to issue an official declaration of results.

The OAS/EOM made an urgent call to the National Electoral Council (CNE) to immediately begin the special scrutiny (escrutinio especial) and adopt expeditious decisions to obtain official results in the shortest time possible. "The population needs and deserves certainty; the current delay is not justifiable," Loizaga stressed.

The Mission reiterated its rejection of any attempt to alter public order or disregard the popular will expressed at the polls, and expressed extreme concern over statements by institutional actors exceeding their competencies by assessing the validity of the elections.

The OAS/EOM recognized the civic spirit of the Honduran people and reaffirmed its commitment to continue accompanying the country in strengthening its electoral system, with a view toward more professional, technical, and efficient future processes.

Finally, Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin announced that the Chief of Mission and the Director of the Department for Electoral Cooperation and Observation, Gerardo de Icaza, will return to Honduras next Wednesday.

Reference: E-089/25