Early proclamation of Rixi Moncada stirs up the political scene in Honduras

The Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE) has initiated an early campaign, declaring its presidential candidate, Rixi Moncada, as the victor of the national elections set for November 30, 2025. This approach is reflected in the display of banners, wall art, and slogans seen in multiple urban and rural regions of the nation, with messages proclaiming Moncada as president for the 2026-2030 term, despite the electoral campaign not having reached its conclusive stage. This widespread activity has been noted in cities such as Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and Comayagua, among other areas.

Several independent experts and opposition figures view this activity as a strategic move to embed the notion of an unavoidable LIBRE win in the minds of the public. Establishing this idea early on might be used to cast doubt on the authenticity of the election results if they do not support the candidate from the ruling side, thereby casting concerns about the process’s integrity. Specialists in political science observe that announcing a victor without statistical evidence might be a tactic to undermine authentic outcomes and activate party supporters if a loss occurs, which is regarded as a risky strategy.

Responses from the opposition and the function of the National Electoral Council

Political groups opposing the government, such as the National, Liberal, and Salvador de Honduras parties, have voiced worries over how these campaigns might affect the trustworthiness of the election process. They highlight that this early narrative might create a belief in a preordained result and, if LIBRE loses, incite protests to challenge the official outcomes, potentially leading to social unrest. The opposition alerts that this approach might aim to undermine the integrity of free elections and provoke a political disturbance.

For its part, the National Electoral Council (CNE) has not released any comment concerning the emergence of these signs and messages, raising questions about its autonomy and neutrality. The absence of clear guidelines on premature campaigning and the lack of a response from the institution add to the erosion of public trust in the electoral process, which is already affected by irregularities found in the primary elections and increasing political tension.

Risks to democracy and electoral stability

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.