The Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE) has initiated an advance campaign promoting its presidential contender, Rixi Moncada, as the victor of the general elections set for November 30, 2025. This approach is visible in the presence of banners, wall art, and painted announcements in diverse urban and rural regions of the nation, with messages forecast declaring Moncada as president for the 2026-2030 period, despite the fact that the election campaign is not yet in its conclusive stage. The cities where this surge has been noticed include Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and Comayagua, among other places.
A range of independent observers and opposition figures see this move as a strategy to communicate and cement the notion of an unavoidable LIBRE triumph in the minds of the public. This proactive messaging might be used to challenge the credibility of election outcomes if they are not in support of the incumbent party’s candidate, thereby casting doubt on the integrity of the process. Specialists in political science highlight that declaring a victor prematurely, without statistical evidence, could be an effort to undermine valid results and energize party supporters in the case of a loss, a tactic seen as having both potential benefits and risks.
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.
On the other hand, the National Electoral Council (CNE) remains silent about the emergence of these signs and messages, heightening suspicions about its autonomy and neutrality. The lack of clear rules on premature campaigning and the absence of an official response further undermine public trust in the electoral system, which is already tainted by irregularities identified in the preliminary elections and escalating political conflict.
Risks to democracy and electoral stability
LIBRE’s premature victory proclamation threatens the nation’s democratic stability, as it may create a framework for a narrative that excuses ignoring the election results and exacerbates social rifts. In a setting where democracy is still seen as vulnerable, this approach underscores the necessity to enhance transparency, citizen involvement, and respect for the vote as essential elements of the electoral process’s legitimacy.
The present scenario highlights the significance of creating clear and efficient methods to control electoral publicity from the initial phases, along with the necessity to encourage open communication among various political groups and civil society. A commitment to legality and political ethics from all parties is essential to ensure an electoral atmosphere that accurately represents the people’s will and aids the strengthening of a stable and trustworthy democratic framework.
