HONDURAN SUPREME ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL TO APRROVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000491 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/23/2019 TAGS: PGOV KDEM SOCI HO SUBJECT: HONDURAN SUPREME ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL TO APRROVE INDEPENDENT CANDIDACIES Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens, reasons 1.4 (b & d) ¶1. (C) Poloff visited the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) on June 23 to inquire about the 23 applications for independent candidacies the institution had received. TSE President Saul Escobar (who represents the Christian Democratic Party) told us that 16 of the 23 independent candidacies had passed the first test and fulfilled all the requirements for their respective positions. He reported that there will be independent candidates for President, Mayor and Congress, and noted that the high-profile presidential candidacy of leftist NGO leader Carlos H. Reyes had fulfilled all the requirements. Escobar said that some candidacies were disqualified for not having enough signatures, for having participated in the primaries of other parties, or for having some problem with their entire slate of candidates, such as not meeting the gender requirements. Before disqualifying the remaining 7, however, he said that the TSE was meeting with Civil Society groups to consider allowing a "grace" period where the candidates would be given a certain amount of time (to be determined) in order to fix technical issues or deficiencies with their candidacies. Magistrate David Matamoros (who represents the National Party) told us the TSE wants to be completely transparent, but also has a strong desire to be flexible, especially during such a hotly-contested election period. Escobar reminded us that if they allow the grace period for the independent candidates, they must also allow some sort of grace period for any major party candidates who were disqualified. ¶2. (C) Magistrate Enrique Ortez Sequeira (who represents the Liberal Party) told us that each independent candidacy will cost the TSE extra funds because it will involve hiring additional people to work the voting tables, plus the cost of supplies (additional ballots, ballot boxes, etc.). He estimated that Reye,s candidacy will cost the TSE 18 million Lempira (over USD 950,000) and that all told, the independents will cost the TSE over 30 million Lempira (over USD 1.6 million). In addition, once independent candidates are approved, they have the right to place representatives on the various consultative bodies, which could influence TSE policies or decisions. Presidential candidates can place a representative on the National Consultative Committee that meets regularly at the TSE headquarters, and mayoral candidates can place someone on the municipal committees. ¶3. (C) Comment: This is the first time in Honduran history that any independent candidates will compete in national elections. The fact that 16 of them qualified, and that the TSE is considering giving those who did not extra time to fix their paperwork, shows a great amount of openness and political will to make these elections transparent and inclusive. We are especially pleased that Carlos H. Reyes will be allowed to compete, as he will be attractive to voters who espouse a leftist ideology and have been marginalized in past elections. Reyes has publicly supported the Fourth Urn and a Constituent Assembly, although he has also come out strongly against President Manuel "Mel" Zelaya staying in office. His candidacy could attract those voters who support the Fourth Urn, but are still opposed to Zelaya remaining, thus taking some of the wind out of Zelaya,s sails. End Comment. LLORENS