The Evangelical Fellowship of Honduras and the Association of Pastors of Tegucigalpa issued a statement expressing deep concern over 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 an orderly and peaceful transition of government.
In their statement, the religious leaders said: “We express our deep concern over the conduct of the President of the National Congress, Luis Redondo, and the decisions adopted during an extraordinary session, whose resolutions openly contravene the Constitution and the current Electoral Law.”
The statement described the actions taken by the Legislative Branch as contrary to the constitutional framework. Redondo has alleged the existence of “open and systematic” electoral fraud in the current electoral process, which he characterized as a true “electoral coup” against democracy in Honduras.
Earlier this month, the CNE confirmed Nasry Asfura as the president-elect of Honduras following the general elections held on November 30.
The document also firmly condemned the National Congress for assuming functions that do not fall within its authority, noting that such actions constitute a usurpation of powers belonging to the CNE, the body legally empowered to conduct the vote count and declare official results.
“We firmly condemn the National Congress assuming this function, thereby usurping powers and responsibilities that do not belong to it under the constitutional order,” the statement said.
The evangelical leaders also rejected any attempt to exert pressure on the Armed Forces of Honduras.
“We categorically reject any pressure directed at the Armed Forces of Honduras with the aim of inducing them to carry out actions contrary to the Constitution,” they stated, particularly regarding the custody and preservation of electoral materials.
The statement also included public recognition of the Armed Forces’ institutional stance. “We commend the Armed Forces of Honduras for their clear, firm, and responsible position in defense of legality, the protection of electoral materials, and respect for the declaration issued by the CNE,” the signatories noted.
Additionally, the declaration called on the Government of the Republic to immediately begin coordination with the team of president-elect Nasry Asfura in order to ensure an orderly, transparent, and lawful transition of power.
Finally, the statement urged all political actors to act with “prudence, responsibility, and patriotism, placing the sacred interests of Honduras above any personal or partisan considerations,” with the goal of preserving social peace and democratic institutional stability in the country.
The statement was issued amid heightened political tension following the November general elections, as various sectors continue to call for respect for the official results and the preservation of democratic stability in the face of controversial institutional decisions.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
