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The Electoral Process in Honduras

  December 3, 2013

In response to an invitation by the electoral authority, the Organization of American States (OAS) deployed to Honduras a long-term Electoral Observation Mission which observed the different stages of the general election held on November 24 and has maintained a presence since the official announcement of the election. Nine days before the elections, the OAS reiterates its appreciation to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Honduras for the significant human and technical efforts it made in organizing this election and by its demonstrations of openness to political parties at various stages of the electoral process.

In light of the special vote counting process that is taking place in this country that will conclude in the coming days with the official declaration of results, the OAS takes note of the resolution recently issued by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) of Honduras – the only body authorized by the Constitution - in which it rules as concluded the vote count at the Presidential level and in which it reports to the Honduran people the results of the election.

The OAS also appreciates the willingness of the TSE to receive complaints from various actors in the process who, making use of their right, formalized them through the mechanisms established in the Electoral and Political Organizations Act, and to take action to address them in order to contribute to transparency. The openness of the TSE to work with political parties in the verification and recounting of the final vote reports at the presidential level will undoubtedly contribute to generating a post-electoral climate of dialogue and unity.

The OAS will maintain its presence in Honduras at this stage observing the rest of the process of vote counting at the municipal level, as well as the review of acts carried out by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. The OAS will be present in the country until the official declaration of the results.

For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.

Reference: E-468/13