Costa Rica began the vote count in key elections, a process that, according to international observers and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), developed with complete normality. With the polls closed, the country's attention is focused on the first official results, expected at 20:45 local time. Some 3.7 million citizens were eligible to choose Rodrigo Chaves' successor from among 20 candidates, in a contest where the continuity of the government project faces opposition technical profiles. To avoid a runoff, the Costa Rican electoral system requires that the leading candidate reach at least 40% of valid votes. If a candidate exceeds that threshold today, they will be declared the winner, whereas if no one reaches 40%, the top two vote-getters will go to a second round on April 5.
Profiles in contention: continuity vs. change. The ruling party's Laura Fernández (39), the favorite in previous polls, has based her strategy on presenting herself as the 'heir' to President Chaves, seeking a resounding first-round victory. Meanwhile, Álvaro Ramos (42), who was part of the current government but was dismissed due to disagreements, is betting on his solid economic background to capture the moderate vote.
'In a vanguard environmental line, former First Lady Claudia Dobles (45) has centered her platform on urban studies and electric mobility, areas she already coordinated during her husband Carlos Alvarado's administration with the National Decarbonization Plan.'
The electoral process included the deployment of 7,154 polling stations, not only in educational centers, but also in prisons, nursing homes, and 49 consulates around the world. The TSE has emphasized that transparency has been the axis of the day, with participation remaining stable throughout Sunday.
