Partial results in for Honduran elections

(Vatican Radio) The Honduran electoral authority has declared that the conservative ruling party candidate, Juan Hernandez, has an irreversible lead in the vote count from Sunday’s presidential election.

Hernandez earned 34.19 per cent of the vote, while Xiomara Castro of the leftist Libre Party earned 28.83 per cent. Almost 60 per cent of the votes have been counted though more are expected from more remote areas.

However, trust seems to be a major factor in this latest Honduran political stand-off, as both of the main candidates are steadfastly claiming victory.

Castro and her followers are insisting that an exit poll prepared for her party showed her winning. Her party is also accusing the electoral authorities of siding with the government, which the authorities have denied.

There is a residue of bad feeling because Castro's husband, Manuel Zelaya, was deposed by a military coup in 2009.

Hernandez, who supported that coup, stated he is clearly the winner in this election. He also stresses his triumph will not be negotiated with anyone, and the Honduran people have decided.

Listen to the report by James Blears: