About the EOM Honduras 2025

Methodology

The EU EOM is guided by the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation adopted under the auspices of the United Nations in 2005 by various international bodies and entities involved in international election observation. 

Over the past 25 years, the European Union has deployed more than 200 election observation missions in some 75 countries on five continents and has developed a methodology based on the following principles:

- Comprehensive observation of electoral processes in accordance with international and regional obligations for democratic elections. 

- Absolute independence of the mission. 

- Non-interference in the electoral process. 

- Neutrality and impartiality of observers; 

- Adherence to the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, commemorated at the United Nations in 2005.

- Respect for the Code of Conduct for international election observation and Honduran legislation.

The EU EOM conducts a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process, based on long-term observation. To this end, observers meet with the Honduran electoral and political authorities, the different candidates, civil society organisations and the media in order to analyse various aspects, including:

- The legal framework and its application.

- The impartiality of the electoral administration. 

- The reliability and integrity of the electoral roll.

- The registration of parties and candidates.

- The conduct of the election campaign.

- The use of public resources during the campaign.

- Fairness of candidates’ access to the media.

- Respect for the universal rights of freedom of expression and assembly.

- Voting, the counting of votes, their reflection in the electoral register and the scrutiny of votes.

- Appeals and complaints. 

EU EOM composition 

Francisco Assis is the Chief of the EU EOM. He has been a member of the Portuguese Parliament on several occasions and is currently serving his third term as a Member of the European Parliament (2004-2009, 2014-2019 and since 2024). He was Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Mercosur between 2014 and 2019.

For Election Day, the mission will consist of more than 100 observers from European Union member states and Canada.

The Core Team arrived in Tegucigalpa on 11 October and is composed of:

- A deputy chief of Mission.

- A political analyst.

- A campaign Finance Analyst

- A legal analyst.

- An electoral analyst. 

- An electoral technology analyst. 

- A media analyst. 

- A social media analyst.

- A press officer.

- Two observers’ coordinators. 

- And a data analyst.

In late October, this group will be joined by 32 long-term observers, who will be deployed across the country. In addition, 38 short-term observers, a delegation from the European Parliament and diplomats from EU member states accredited in Honduras will join the mission shortly before the vote. The mission will remain in Honduras until the conclusion of the electoral process.

Findings of the Mission

The Mission does not comment on the election results, but rather assesses the entire electoral process. After Election Day, the mission will release a preliminary statement at a press conference in Tegucigalpa.

A final report containing all the technical details will later be presented to the Honduran government, electoral bodies, political parties, and civil society. The report will include recommendations for improving future electoral processes.