Peaceful Elections

Peaceful elections are a sign of hope for Honduras. On Sunday, November 30, Hondurans participated in the primary elections to decide the presidential candidates for the two major political parties, among other governmental positions. The elections took place weeks after complicated and violent electoral processes in Nicaragua and Venezuela. The United States Ambassador said in Spanish that, “Honduras has demonstrated that it is an example of a model democracy.”

Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo, the Partido Nacional (National Party)’s candidate in the 2005 elections, won the nomination to represent his party. Mr. Lobo is the president of the Partido Nacional and lost in a close election to the current president, Manuel “Mel” Zelaya. From the Partido Liberal (Liberal Party) Elvin Santos won the nomination. Elvin Santos is the current Vice President of Honduras and there has been debate as to whether the constitution allows someone who has already acted as President to run for election (when the elected President is out of the country the Vice President takes over). Vice President Elvin Santos had been disqualified to run so he campaigned with a loyal friend whose name appeared on the ballot in place of Elvin Santos’.

The general elections are scheduled for November 2009.