The head of Honduras’ National Electoral Council, Ana Paola Hall, announced on Monday that protests in Tegucigalpa have postponed the start of a special hand recount of ballots from the contested November 30 presidential election.
What triggered the delay?
Hundreds of supporters of the ruling leftist LIBRE party gathered outside the ballot storage facility, blocking election workers from beginning a manual review of roughly 15 % of the tally sheets, which contain hundreds of thousands of ballots flagged for “inconsistencies.”
Hall said in a post on X that the protest “prevented the necessary conditions for the special recount to begin.”
Why the recount matters
The tally sheets slated for review could alter the standings of the two frontrunners: Nasry Asfura of the conservative National Party, who leads with 40.54 % of the vote, and Salvador Nasralla of the center‑right Liberal Party, at 39.19 %. A shift could change the outcome of the presidential race.
Delays come as Honduras remains in a state of political paralysis more than two weeks after voting, with the election process already plagued by technical failures and political infighting.
Additional context
Former President Mel Zelaya, husband of current President Xiomara Castro, urged LIBRE supporters to protest and demand a hand recount of every ballot.
Rixi Moncada, the LIBRE candidate, trails far behind in third place with 19.29 % of the vote.
The election has also attracted outside interference; U.S. President Donald Trump publicly backed Asfura, threatened to withhold aid if another candidate won, and later alleged fraud without providing evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the special recount delayed?
The recount was delayed because hundreds of LIBRE supporters protested outside the ballot storage site, preventing election workers from accessing the tally sheets that needed to be hand‑counted.
Who are the leading candidates and what are their current vote shares?
Nasry Asfura of the National Party leads with 40.54 % of the vote, about 43,000 votes ahead of Salvador Nasralla of the Liberal Party, who has 39.19 %. Rixi Moncada of LIBRE is in third place with 19.29 %.
What external influence has been noted in this election?
The election has been marked by interference from U.S. President Donald Trump, who endorsed Asfura, threatened to withhold financial aid if a different candidate won, and later claimed fraud without presenting evidence.
How do you think these developments will shape Honduras’s political future?
