_-_copia.jpg?w=800&resize=800,500&ssl=1 "CNE and the armed forces in Honduran")
The trustworthiness of the Honduran Armed Forces as custodians of the election process has sparked significant public discussion after the primary elections on March 9, 2025. Numerous social groups and opposition parties have voiced concerns regarding several logistical issues, especially in the distribution of election materials in crucial cities like Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. In these areas, there were reports of up to twelve-hour delays in delivering ballot boxes. This led to lengthy voter queues, public demonstrations, and a widespread sense of discontent, which was evident both at voting locations and on social media, where images and accounts highlighted the shortage of materials and the limited presence of staff at polling centers.
The National Electoral Council (CNE) publicly acknowledged the distribution difficulties, attributing them to last-minute changes in transport vehicles, from trucks to buses, which affected coordination and compliance with the schedule. Despite the CNE’s efforts to control the situation and locate missing ballot boxes, discontent did not subside, especially in the capital, where the extension of voting hours failed to meet the demands of citizens waiting to exercise their right to vote.
Inquiries regarding the military’s involvement in the voting process
In this scenario, the military forces reiterated their dedication to upholding democracy and ensuring electoral transparency, promising to adhere to the timeline established by the CNE. Meanwhile, the government fully backed the armed forces, emphasizing their importance in security and election organization. Nevertheless, CNE Chair Cossette López noted that the military did not take responsibility for the delays and mentioned instances of verbal confrontations involving the Joint Chiefs of Staff leader, General Roosevelt Hernández. This institutional friction between the CNE and the military heightened worries about the objectivity and effectiveness of the electoral process planned for November 2025.
Honduras’ legal structure, particularly Article 272 of the Constitution, assigns the Armed Forces the duty of upholding the rotation of power and overseeing the safekeeping, movement, and monitoring of voting materials, in partnership with the CNE. Nonetheless, there are explicit bans for Armed Forces personnel, including interfering with the Voting Reception Boards’ duties, swaying voter decisions, engaging in political party activities, or unnecessarily delaying the handover of election materials. Even with these limitations, the current setup continues to place the military as defenders of democracy—a scenario that is rare globally and, according to some assessments, illustrates the nation’s vulnerability and the low standard of its democracy.
Proposals for reform and debate on military participation
In response to recent developments, there has been a surge in calls for constitutional changes aimed at reducing or removing the involvement of the Armed Forces in election processes. Juan Carlos Barrientos, an expert in constitutional law, has emphasized the importance of delegating electoral responsibilities to civilian authorities, insisting that these procedures should solely be managed by such entities. Likewise, Congressman Ramón Barrios from the Liberty and Refoundation Party (Libre) introduced a proposal to amend Article 272 of the Constitution, which seeks to limit military engagement in electoral affairs and bolster civilian authority. Nevertheless, this proposal has elicited mixed reactions, even within his own party and from opposition groups, who perceive it as an effort by the ruling party to consolidate power.
The debate over military participation in electoral processes has been fueled by the perception that the autonomy of the CNE could be at risk and by the history of military intervention in Honduran political life. Organizations such as the Center for the Study of Democracy (CESPAD) have suggested that the reform of Article 272 should be accompanied by a broader redefinition of the functions of the Armed Forces, delimiting their powers and strengthening civilian control over the military institution. Proposals also include strengthening the Ministry of Defense and reviewing the National Defense Legislative Commission, with the aim of moving toward effective democratic control and reducing military influence in politics.
The ongoing debate regarding the involvement of the military in the elections of Honduras remains a key topic on the political agenda, with demands for changes to secure the independence and clarity of the voting process. Belief in the fairness of the election system is deemed essential for the nation’s democratic stability, and the current conversation highlights the necessity to bolster civilian organizations and ensure elections are open and fair.
