Hondurans head to polls in high-stakes presidential election
Approximately 6.5 million registered voters in the Central American country, which has a population of around 10 million, are selecting a president for the next four years, along with 128 congressional members, 20 representatives to the Central American Parliament, and mayors in nearly 300 municipalities.
Although five candidates are on the presidential ballot, polling indicates a close contest among three frontrunners.
Rixi Moncada of the ruling Libre Party is campaigning on social justice and reducing inequality.
A close ally of the current president, she promises to "democratize" an economy dominated by elite interests.
Nasry “Tito” Asfura of the National Party is advocating job creation through public-private initiatives. He has received backing from right-wing leaders abroad, including the US president.
On Friday, the US president pledged to be “very supportive” of Honduras if Asfura wins and also promised to pardon former leader Juan Orlando Hernandez, saying, “If he doesn’t win, the United States will not be throwing good money after bad, because a wrong Leader can only bring catastrophic results to a country, no matter which country it is.”
Salvador Nasralla of the Liberal Party is running for president for the third time, focusing on anti-corruption measures, streamlining bureaucracy, and support for small and medium-sized businesses.
Political tensions are high, with rival parties accusing each other of attempting electoral manipulation. President Castro has claimed that the National Party plans to challenge the results if Moncada prevails. This allegation followed the release of recordings purportedly capturing electoral officials and a military officer discussing ways to “alter the popular vote.”
Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time and were scheduled to close at 5 p.m., with a possible extension until 6 p.m.
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