Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Lobo Sosa Becomes Frontrunner in Honduras

November 03, 2005
Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Scan) - Porfirio Lobo Sosa is the top-ranked presidential candidate in Honduras, according to a poll by CID-Gallup. 39 per cent of respondents would vote for the National Party (PN) member in this month's election.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Porfirio Lobo Sosa is the top-ranked presidential candidate in Honduras, according to a poll by CID-Gallup. 39 per cent of respondents would vote for the National Party (PN) member in this month's election.

Manuel Zelaya of the Liberal Party (PL) is second with 31 per cent. Juan Ramón Martínez of the Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Carlos Sosa Coello of the Party for Innovation and Unity - Social-Democracy (PINU) and Juan Almendárez of the Democratic Unification Party (PUD) are also actively campaigning in the Central American nation.

In February, Honduran voters participated in their country's first presidential primaries. National Congress president Lobo Sosa defeated Tegucigalpa mayor Miguel Pastor with 69.1 per cent of the vote to become the PN nominee. Zelaya—a former minister of the Honduran Social Investment Fund (FHIS)—earned the PL nod, beating businessman Jaime Rosenthal with 55.3 per cent of all cast ballots. The presidential election is scheduled for Nov. 27.

Lobo Sosa has voiced support for "reinstating the death penalty for abominable crimes," while Zelaya has opposed capital punishment, saying the measure "would not dissuade criminals."

Campaign activities were interrupted after Hurricane Beta hit Honduras and Nicaragua on Oct. 30. Current president Ricardo Maduro said that close to 11,000 Hondurans have been evacuated from the affected areas.

Liberal candidates won the 1981, 1985, 1993 and 1997 elections, while the Nationals emerged victorious in 1989 and 2001.

Polling Data

Who would you vote for in the presidential election?

 

Oct. 2005

Sept. 2005

Porfirio Lobo Sosa (PN)

39%

36%

Manuel Zelaya (PL)

31%

36%

Others / Don't know

30%

28%

Source: CID-Gallup
Methodology: Interviews with 1,461 Honduran adults in 16 of the country's 18 provinces, conducted from Oct. 22 to Oct. 26, 2005. Margin of error is 2.8 per cent.