VOA常速英语:Honduras Votes

Election officials in Honduras finalized the results of the presidential election held there on November 24 and declared Juan Orlando Hernández, of the ruling National Party, the winner. The Honduran election tribunal announced that Mr. Hernández received a plurality, garnering 36.9 percent of the vote.

The next leading contender, Xiomara Castro, of the LIBRE Party, received 28.8 percent of the vote. Ms. Castro and her husband, former president Mel Zelaya, have publicly disputed the outcome. Electoral officials and party members reviewed formal complaints regarding the outcome and found their allegations of widespread electoral improprieties to be unsubstantiated.

Most domestic and international observers monitoring the election commended the electoral process and believe the results are reliable. Sixty-one percent of voters participated in the voting, the highest rate since the 2001 elections. The United States commends the Honduran government for their efforts to ensure the election process was generally transparent, peaceful and reflected the will of the Honduran people.

When the new government takes office on January 27, it will face many challenges, such as promoting fiscal stability and economic growth, combating poverty and guaranteeing security, justice and human rights for all Hondurans. The nation’s newly- elected leaders have committed to addressing these challenges.

The United States looks forward to continuing its partnership with the government and people of Honduras as the administration of President-elect Hernández begins this important work.