_-_copia.jpg?w=1300&resize=1300,540&ssl=1 "GPS technology in Honduran elections")
With fewer than six months remaining until the general elections in Honduras, several specialists have suggested a specific plan to enhance electoral transparency: integrating GPS geolocation systems into all the containers that will carry the electoral supplies. This initiative aims to secure real-time monitoring of the packages from the moment they depart from the National Electoral Council (CNE) until they return for tabulation.
The effort emerges amidst a period of significant public skepticism and political strain, with different groups voicing worries about a potential erosion of institutional assurances and a contentious post-election environment.
Technical plan with local examples
The initiative, supported by specialists in voting technology, suggests employing GPS gadgets to oversee every package during the logistical operations. Systems engineer Marvin Mejía claims that utilizing such technology would enable precise monitoring of material routes, identifying any diversions or holdups that might endanger the security of the custody chain.
Similar experiences have been applied in electoral processes in countries such as Mexico, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. In those cases, GPS has been used to prevent incidents such as loss, tampering, or unauthorized transfers.
From an operational point of view, experts indicate that the technology is affordable, with equipment priced from $15 to $30, and can be easily integrated into mobile monitoring systems, enabling access for both party representatives and observers at the national and international levels.
Requests from the community
The proposal has been taken up as a demand by citizen organizations involved in election observation. Transparency Electoral, Red de Observadores, and the Fundación para la Democracia have asked the National Electoral Council to immediately incorporate this technology into its budget planning and regulate it as a mandatory component of the process.
The organizations claim that implementing the measure would boost trust in how the electoral system is managed, considering the persistent accusations of anomalies in recent voting events. They feel that not embracing this approach might be seen as an institutional reluctance to ensure a fair election.
“If the National Electoral Council declines, it will be giving the most unfavorable signal: that it does not wish for the public to observe what transpires from the polling station to the vote count,” commented a lawyer with expertise in electoral law associated with civic oversight initiatives.
Political atmosphere and concerns about deceit
The conversation is unfolding within a context of increasing political division, with opposition groups and social figures raising alarms about the circumstances surrounding the upcoming election. Factors contributing to this worry include the state of emergency, which limits certain basic rights, and the concentration of power that, as numerous commentators assert, is hindering democratic checks and balances.
Leaders from the opposition have highlighted that there is a decrease in institutional supervision, which “according to them” might allow for manipulations or changes behind the scenes, away from public view. “An election isn’t secured at the polling station if the pouches are interfered with secretly,” mentioned an international representative familiar with election monitoring, as reported by national media.
In this context, advocates argue that tracking via GPS could serve as a cost-effective strategy to alleviate concerns about distrust or potential turmoil following the elections. Election advisor Karen Pineda highlighted that “it involves a small expense relative to the cost involved in dealing with a post-election crisis.”
An issue of trust and authority
The suggestion to integrate GPS technology into voting machines underscores the hurdles Honduras encounters regarding public confidence and the integrity of elections. Amidst a situation where institutional credibility is under scrutiny, the discussion surrounding these initiatives assumes a significance that goes beyond mere technical details.
With the voting day nearing, the political framework in Honduras encounters a crucial decision: enhance its oversight and transparency systems or proceed with an air of distrust and unease. How the CNE addresses this proposal will be viewed as a sign of the institution’s dedication to the integrity of the proceedings.