An election volunteer displays the ballot as vote counting begins during the general election, at a school in Catacamas, Honduras, November 28, 2021. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas

Reuters reported that leftist opposition candidate Xiomara Castro declared victory in Sunday's Honduran Presidential Election, with early results giving her a commanding lead and putting her on track to become the first female leader of the Central American country.

Iran PressAmerica: Hondurans headed to the polls on Sunday morning to elect the president as well as legislators and mayors, the National Electoral Council (CNE) confirmed.

Some 5.2 million Hondurans are eligible to vote and elect the president, three vice presidents, 298 municipal mayors, 128 congressional members and 20 Central American Parliament members, Xinhua News Agency reported.

During a live poll-opening ceremony, CNE President Kelvin Aguirre said, "I hope we vote in peace, without fear or violence."

The ceremony was also attended by international observers and local authorities, amid a strong police and military presence.

About 30,000 members of the Armed Forces and the National Police have be acting as security during the election.

The CNE set up some 5,700 voting centers throughout the Central American country.

Additionally, CNE Councilor Ana Paola Hall announced: "We will transmit preliminary results on a progressive basis."

224

Read More:

9,000 Honduran migrants bound for US face crackdown

 

An election volunteer displays the ballot as vote counting begins during the general election, at a school in Catacamas, Honduras, November 28, 2021. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas
Xiomara Castro, presidential candidate of the Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE), casts her vote during the general elections in Catacamas, Honduras November 28, 2021. REUTERS/ Jose Cabezas
People wait to vote outside a polling station during general elections, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras November 28, 2021. REUTERS/Yoseph Amaya
Election volunteers count votes during the general election, at a school in Catacamas, Honduras, November 28, 2021. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas