OAS and EU observers found no evidence of fraud in Honduras' Nov. 30 presidential vote but criticized the slow and inconsistent counting. Nasry Asfura, backed by former US President Donald Trump, holds a narrow lead; Salvador Nasralla demands a full recount. About 2,800 tally sheets (nearly 500,000 votes) are under review and the CNE has up to one month to certify a winner. Observers urged faster, transparent certification to reduce post-election uncertainty.
Observers Say Honduran Vote Shows No Fraud — But Slow Count Deepens Uncertainty
More than 99 percent of the votes have been counted but the Honduran election council says some 2,800 tally sheets -- representing nearly half-a-million votes -- need to be re-examined in a special recount (Orlando SIERRA)(Orlando SIERRA/AFP/AFP)
International observer missions from the Organization of American States (OAS) and the European Union (EU) reported on Monday that they found no evidence of fraud in Honduras' Nov. 30 presidential vote, but they sharply criticized the slow and uneven vote-counting process that has left the outcome uncertain.
Preliminary Results and Recount
More than 99% of ballots have been tabulated, but the Honduran election council (CNE) says about 2,800 tally sheets — representing nearly 500,000 votes — must be re-examined in a targeted recount to resolve alleged inconsistencies. By law the CNE has up to one month to certify a winner, but observers urged authorities to publish final results promptly to reduce political and social uncertainty.
Observers' Findings
Eladio Loizaga, a Paraguayan diplomat who led the OAS observer mission, said electoral authorities showed gaps in technical capacity but found "no evidence that would cast doubt on the results." The EU mission likewise reported it had "not observed any serious irregularities that could affect the current preliminary results," and EU representative Despina Manos said EU teams remained on the ground monitoring the tally.
Contested Race and Political Tensions
Nasry Asfura, a 67-year-old conservative businessman publicly backed by former US President Donald Trump, holds a slim lead in preliminary tallies. Second-place candidate Salvador Nasralla, 72, who led early returns, is demanding a full recount; his campaign says he trails Asfura by roughly 42,000 votes. Outgoing left-wing President Xiomara Castro and leftist candidate Rixi Moncada have alleged manipulation, and Castro has publicly accused Trump of meddling in Honduras' electoral process.
Procedural Delays and Pressure
CNE member Cossette Lopez said the special recount had not started "because unlawful pressure is being exerted on the CNE, demanding recounts outside the legal framework." Loizaga told OAS members the current delays in processing and publishing results were unjustified and warned the slow pace worsened post-electoral uncertainty.
US Involvement and Controversy
President Trump drew criticism for his public endorsement of Asfura and for warning that "the United States will not be throwing good money after bad" if his preferred candidate loses. On the eve of the vote, Trump issued a surprise pardon for former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez, a member of Asfura's National Party who had been serving a 45-year US prison sentence following conviction in a major drug-trafficking case. Critics said the pardon appeared politically charged and inconsistent with stated US priorities on combating drug trafficking.
"Ever since Trump said he supported Asfura, we already knew he was going to win. The gringos (Americans) are the ones in charge," taxi driver Sergio Canales, 53, told AFP in Tegucigalpa — a reflection of public suspicion about foreign influence.
What Comes Next
Observers say there is no clear evidence of fraud, but they urged Honduran authorities to speed up the count, resolve disputed tally sheets transparently and issue a final, certified result to restore confidence. With international teams still monitoring the situation, the country remains on edge until the CNE completes its review and proclaims a winner.
