20 Nov 2017 | 01:55 PM UTC
Honduras: General elections on November 26 /update 1
General elections nationwide on Sunday, November 26; avoid polling stations and rallies as a precaution
Event
Presidential, legislative, and municipal elections will be held throughout the country on Sunday, November 26. More than 6 million Hondurans could head to the polls to elect candidates for various posts, including the president, three vice presidents, members of the legislature, and mayors. Ten different political parties will be taking part in the elections and nine candidates are in the running for the presidency. The campaign period officially came to a close on Monday, November 20; however, unauthorized protests cannot be ruled out.
The re-election bid of incumbent President Juan Orlando Hernández, in office since 2014, has been denounced as illegal by the political opposition. At least one segment of the political opposition has already said it would not accept the results if Hernández is re-elected. Honduras’s national human rights commission Conadeh has called on all candidates to accept the election results once they are published to avoid social unrest and political violence.
As such, anti-Hernández protests are possible in the coming days - notably in the cities of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula - particularly if Hernández is re-elected. Post-election violence and social unrest has broken out in the country during previous electoral cycles. Thousands of security forces will be deployed ahead of and during the election to ensure order.
Context
According to the Honduran constitution, presidents may only serve one four-year term, outlining severe punishments for anyone attempting to breach this statute. However, a highly controversial ruling by the country’s top court in May 2015 seemingly overruled the term limit.
Visitors to the country should note that political activism by foreign nationals is prohibited under Honduran law. Foreigners who take part in demonstrations or other political activities risk detention and or/deportation.
Advice
Individuals in Honduras are advised to avoid polling stations on election day and to avoid any demonstrations.
