Frontrunners Emerge in Honduras Primary Elections Amid Widespread Delays

The National Electoral Council (CNE) of Honduras released preliminary results from the March 9 primary elections, revealing clear frontrunners across three major political parties.

Voting operations faced significant disruptions nationwide, with thousands unable to cast ballots until late evening hours. Defense Secretary Rixi Moncada dominates the ruling Libre party race with 93.12% of counted votes against opponent Rasel Tomé’s 6.87%.

The CNE based these figures on 10.7% of processed ballots. Moncada maintained her government position throughout her campaign, drawing criticism as the military oversees ballot security.

In the Liberal Party contest, television personality Salvador Nasralla leads with 54.42%, followed by Jorge Cálix at 34.54%. Luis Zelaya and Maribel Espinoza trail with 6.20% and 4.82% respectively.

Nasralla previously served as Vice President under current President Xiomara Castro before leaving her administration. Former Tegucigalpa mayor Nasry “Tito” Asfura commands the National Party race with 76.51% of counted votes.

His closest competitor, former first lady Ana García de Hernández, holds 21.35%. García’s husband, former president Juan Orlando Hernández, currently serves a U.S. prison sentence for drug trafficking offenses.

Honduras Primary Elections Hit by Delays and Investigations

The CNE reported widespread delays in delivering electoral materials to voting centers throughout Honduras. Many polling stations in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula opened up to twelve hours late.

Some locations received materials as late as 7:15 PM, prompting the CNE to extend voting hours until 9:00 PM. Electoral authorities estimate 2.3 million citizens participated from 5.8 million eligible voters, representing a 40% turnout rate.

The Court of Accounts announced investigations into potential mismanagement of election funds and security protocols. The winners will compete in the general elections scheduled for November 30, 2025.

The races will determine Honduras’ next president, legislators, and local officials amid ongoing economic struggles and security concerns. CNE officials stated final certified results will not appear until April 8 following complete verification processes.

Electoral analyst Miguel Cálix noted primaries traditionally suffer more irregularities than general elections. “The primary votes historically have been the worst electoral exercises in Honduran democracy,” he stated.