Qualifications are extremely stringent, designed to prevent a dictatorship by political, military, or business figures. To be eligible to run for president, the candidate is required to:
Be a natural-born Honduran.
Be more than 30 years old at the time of the election.
Enjoy the full rights of Honduran citizenship.
Not be an official of any church or religious denomination.
Not be in active military service during the six months prior to the election.
Not be a Presidential appointee, secretary or under-secretary of state, judge, or member of the electoral court, attorney general or deputy attorney, Comptroller General or Deputy Comptroller General, or an executive of a privately held institution for at least six months prior to the election.
Not be an officer of the armed forces or law enforcement, or an active soldier therein for at least 12 months prior to the election.
Not be the spouse or relative of the President or any military leader.
Powers
The Constitution ascribes 45 specific rights and powers to the office of the Presidency:ly appoint and remove the secretaries of his cabinet, and other posts whose appointments are not assigned to other officials.
To call the National Congress into special session, or propose an extension of the ordinary session.
To restrict or suspend the exercise of rights of the Council of Ministers, subject to the provisions of this Constitution.
To address the National Congress at any time, and to adjourn each ordinary legislative session.
To participate in the introduction of legislation to Congress by the cabinet secretaries.
To provide implement the resolutions of the legislature, judiciary, and National Electoral Court.
To issue decrees, regulations, and resolutions pursuant to law.
To direct foreign policy.
To conclude treaties and conventions, to be ratified by Congress.
To appoint the heads of diplomatic and consular missions.
To receive the heads of state, and diplomatic representatives.
To be Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, with the field rank of Major General.
To exercise supervision and control of banking institutions, insurance, and finance through the National Banking and Insurance, and appoint the chairmen and deputy chairmen of the Banks of the State.
To dictate and promote the swift implementation of agrarian production and reform.
To sanction, veto, publish and promulgate laws passed by Congress.
To direct and support the policy of economic and social integration, both nationally and internationally, aimed at improving the living conditions of the people of Honduras.
To create, maintain, and eliminate public services.
To conferring military ranks from lieutenant to captain, inclusive.
To ensure that the Army is apolitical, professional, and obedient.
territory.
To allow, with the authorization of Congress, the output of Honduran troops to serve in foreign territory.
The other functions conferred by the Constitution and legislation.
