EU presents preliminary report on presidential elections

Elections in Honduras: economic challenges 1:41

(CNN Spanish) -

The Electoral Observation Mission of the European Union presented on Tuesday the preliminary conclusions on the general elections held last Sunday in Honduras.

In its preliminary report, published before the electoral process concludes, the mission indicated that citizens showed "their commitment to the democratic process."

“The smooth transmission of preliminary election results increased transparency and trust, although it was limited to half of the voting centers.

However, the general elections of 2021 were characterized by a highly politicized administration, unprecedented levels of political violence ”, he adds.

The report also makes mention of mayors, candidates and activists who were assassinated in the weeks leading up to the elections.

“Threats and intimidation were widespread during the campaign.

The rhetoric on social media became more hostile as the elections approached, with cases of accusations, attacks and insults, ”the report reads.

The report also speaks of the misuse of state funds during the electoral campaign in Honduras.

"President Juan Orlando Hernández and members of his government actively campaigned in favor of the PNH (National Party), which is prohibited by law."

So far neither the CNE nor the government have reacted to the preliminary report of the EU EOM.

advertising

At a press conference from Tegucigalpa, Javier Nart, president of the delegation of observers from the European Parliament, called on the candidates to await the final results of the National Electoral Council.

“We consider it essential to emphasize that any electoral process ends when all the votes have been counted.

In this sense, it is a democratic responsibility that all candidates and political parties act with prudence and measure and accept the results that the CNE will publish, ”he said.

“The delegation that I represent wants to express its surprise and its rejection by the declarations of victory that were produced by some candidates before the polls closed.

That seems like a great irresponsibility to us ”, he added.

The EU mission in Honduras reported that it will later present the final results of its work with "complete analysis and recommendations for the improvement of future processes."

"There are still critical stages of it, such as the tabulation of results and challenges.

The EU EOM is therefore only in a position to comment on the observation made to date ”.