Honduras elections will not ease corruption concerns

Significance

The process has been criticised for vote-counting delays and with regard to the candidates themselves, some of whom have serious allegations of wrongdoing hanging over them. Such criticisms will continue, raising awkward questions for party representatives on the campaign trail and potentially undermining faith in Honduran democracy generally.

Impacts

• The success of Honduras’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout will affect sentiment towards the ruling PN ahead of November.
• The new US Biden administration may adopt a firm stance towards Hernandez, having not yet responded to the corruption allegations.
• A new electoral law is unlikely to advance in the short time left before elections.