The Honduras Evangelical Alliance and the Tegucigalpa Pastors’ Association issued a statement expressing deep concern about the country’s institutional situation and calling for respect for the Constitution of the Republic, the declaration of election results by the National Electoral Council (CNE), and the orderly and peaceful transition of power.
In a statement, the religious leaders said they “express their deep concern at the actions of Luis Redondo, President of the National Assembly, and at the decisions adopted at the Extraordinary Congress that openly violate the Constitution and the current electoral law.”
The statement said the measures taken by the legislature are contrary to the constitutional framework. Mr. Redondo asserted that there was “open and systematic” election fraud in the current election process, which he characterized as a true “electoral coup” against Honduras’ democracy.
Earlier this month, the CNE recognized Nasri Asufura as the next president of Honduras following the November 30 general election.
The document also strongly condemned the National Assembly for assuming duties outside its scope of authority, noting that such actions constitute a usurpation of the powers vested in the CNE, the legally empowered body to carry out vote counting and announce official results.
“We firmly condemn the National Assembly assuming this function and thereby usurping powers and responsibilities that do not belong to it under the constitutional order,” the statement said.
Evangelical leaders also rejected any attempts to pressure the Honduran military.
“We categorically reject any pressure directed at the Honduran Armed Forces with the aim of inducing it to carry out actions contrary to the Constitution,” they said, particularly regarding the storage and preservation of election materials.
This statement also included the public’s recognition of the military’s organizational position. “We commend the Honduran Armed Forces for taking a clear, firm and responsible stand in defending legitimacy, protecting election materials and respecting the declaration of the CNE,” the signatories said.
The declaration further called on the government of the Republic to immediately begin coordinating with President-elect Nasri Asfura’s team to ensure an orderly, transparent and lawful transition of power.
Finally, the statement called on all political actors to act “with prudence, responsibility and patriotism, placing the sacred interests of Honduras above personal or partisan considerations,” with the goal of maintaining social peace and the stability of Honduras’ democratic institutions.
The statement comes amid heightened political tensions following the November general elections, with various sectors continuing to call for respect for official results and the maintenance of democratic stability in the face of controversial institutional decisions.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, the Spanish edition of Christian Daily International.
