The Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE) has launched an early campaign proclaiming its presidential candidate, Rixi Moncada, as the winner of the general elections scheduled for November 30, 2025. This strategy is evident in the appearance of signs, murals, and painted messages in various urban and rural areas of the country, with phrases announcing Moncada as president for the 2026-2030 term, even though the election campaign has not yet entered its final phase. The cities where this proliferation has been observed include Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and Comayagua, among other locations.
Multiple independent commentators and leaders from the opposition view this move as a strategy to communicate and establish the perception of an unavoidable victory for LIBRE among the populace. By planting this notion early on, it lays the groundwork for casting doubt on the election’s legitimacy if the outcome doesn’t support the governing party’s candidate, thereby creating concerns about the process’s transparency. Specialists in political science note that announcing a winner without evidence could be a tactic to undermine authentic results and energize party supporters in case of a loss, a strategy seen as having potential negative repercussions.
Responses from the opposition and the function of the National Electoral Council
The opposition groups, such as the National, Liberal, and Salvador de Honduras parties, have raised issues regarding the potential effects these campaigns might have on trust in the election process. They highlight that this early storyline might create an impression of a predetermined result and, should LIBRE lose, might spark protests against the official outcome, potentially causing social unrest. The opposition cautions that this approach might aim to undermine the integrity of voting and trigger a political turmoil.
For its part, the National Electoral Council (CNE) has not issued any statement regarding the appearance of these signs and messages, which has increased doubts about its independence and impartiality. The absence of specific regulations on early campaigning and the lack of institutional response contribute to weakening public confidence in the electoral process, which is already marked by irregularities detected in the primary elections and growing political tension.
Threats to democratic processes and election security
The premature claim of victory by LIBRE endangers the nation’s democratic equilibrium, potentially paving the way for a storyline that supports neglecting the electoral outcomes and exacerbates societal rifts. In a setting where democracy remains seen as delicate, this action underscores the necessity of bolstering transparency, citizen involvement, and honoring the vote as crucial elements for the electoral process’s validity.
The present scenario highlights the necessity of setting up precise and efficient systems to control election propaganda from the outset, along with the requirement to encourage transparent discussions among various political groups and the public. Just with a shared dedication to legality and political ethics can an election setting be assured that truly mirrors the people’s intentions and aids in the establishment of a stable and trustworthy democratic framework.
