Polls open in Honduras presidential election marked by fraud accusations

"Most polls show a virtual tie between three of the five contenders: former Defence Minister Rixi Moncada of the governing leftist Liberty and Refoundation (LIBRE) party; former Tegucigalpa Mayor Nasry Asfura of the right-wing National Party; and television host Salvador Nasralla of the centrist Liberal Party. The elections, in which the 128 members of Congress, hundreds of mayors, and thousands of other public officials will also be chosen, are taking place in a highly polarised climate."

"Moncada has suggested that she will not recognise the official results. Incumbent President Xiomara Castro of the LIBRE party is limited by law to one term in office. Honduras's Attorney General's Office, aligned with the ruling party, has accused the opposition parties of planning to commit voter fraud, a claim they deny. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into audio recordings that allegedly show a high-ranking National Party politician discussing plans with an unidentified military officer to influence the election."

Hondurans are voting to elect a new president, 128 members of Congress, hundreds of mayors, and thousands of other public officials, with polls open for ten hours and first results expected late Sunday night. Most polls show a near tie among three leading candidates: Rixi Moncada (LIBRE), Nasry Asfura (National Party), and Salvador Nasralla (Liberal Party). The campaign climate is highly polarised, with mutual accusations of planned voter fraud and Moncada indicating she may not recognise official results. Prosecutors are investigating alleged audio recordings implicating a National Party politician and a military officer, while the National Party says the recordings were created using artificial intelligence. The Attorney General's Office, aligned with the ruling party, has accused opposition parties of planning fraud, which the opposition denies. Delays in voting materials and growing public distrust raise concerns about the electoral process and the possibility of unrest.

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