Is Honduras’s ruling party planning to rig an election?

IN THE days leading up to Honduras’s contentious national election on November 26th, one might expect to see candidates tossing bags of beans from pickup trucks and party workers handing out benefit cards. Such methods to sway poor voters have been used before by the National Party of Juan Orlando Hernández, who is running for re-election as president. Opposition parties have used the same techniques, which are frowned upon but not illegal.

Allegations of outright vote-rigging are widespread in Honduras but difficult to prove. The Economist has obtained a recording that, if authentic, suggests the ruling party has plans to distort results in the upcoming elections. Hondurans will be voting in congressional and municipal elections as well as the presidential one.