Honduras CNE Begins Official Review of Presidential Election Results

The National Electoral Council (CNE) has begun the process of a special review to flush out what officials have called "inconsistencies" in response to allegations of fraud by candidates following the November 30 presidential election.

U.S.-backed opposition candidate Nasry Asfura is the presumptive winner after President Trump threw his weight behind the conservative challenger to the liberal heir, Rixi Moncada, of the ruling LIBRE party of President Xiomara Castro.

Officials from the defeated LIBRE party have called foul in response to the results, accusing the U.S. administration of "interference".

Hondura's centrist candidate, who trailed Asfura in the later stages of the election, Salvador Nasralla, a three-time presidential hopeful, also claimed that President Trump's surprise endorsement placed a drag on his lead, saying, "It hurt me because I was winning by a much larger margin", as previously reported by Sociedad Media.

Speculation was sparked by uncertainty surrounding the election and whether a smooth process would take shape after international organizations questioned the incumbent administration's dedication to safeguarding the election's integrity.

The Organization of American States (OAS) expressed concern "regarding the recent events in Honduras that are affecting the national election process", urging the left-wing government of President Xiomara Castro to implement safeguards to ensure the integrity of the election and "to guarantee the autonomy, continuity, and free exercise of these institutions", per earlier reporting by Sociedad Media.

Honduras has yet to certify the presidential election results, awaiting a final review of some 2,800 ballots.

The CNE has until December 30 to declare a winner of the election.