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Costa Rica

Boundary Delimitation

BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
a. Yes

Comments: For Legislative Assembly effects, the administrative territorial division is used. Each of the seven provinces constitutes an electoral district. However, the Supreme Tribunal of Elections (TSE) is empowered to divide an administrative district in two or three parts for election purposes.
Source: EL: 10.
Last updated: 2007-10-01 18:22:07 UTC

BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
h. Not applicable

Comments: Existing provincial boundaries are used.
Source: EL: 10.
Last updated: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 11:33:06 GMT

BD05 The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
g. Not applicable

Comments: Existing provincial boundaries are used.
Source: EL: 10.
Last updated: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 11:36:39 GMT

Direct Democracy

DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.

Last updated: 2007-10-03 17:39:35 UTC

DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level? Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
b. Optional referendum

Source: C: 105.
Last updated: 2007-10-08 16:00:53 UTC

DD124 If free media access is provided, what are the criteria for allocating broadcast time / printing space?

Last updated: 2007-10-03 17:39:35 UTC

DD126 What restrictions or controls, if any, are there on media coverage of the campaign and/or issue during the relevant period?

Last updated: 2007-10-03 17:39:35 UTC

DD13 When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level? Date (yyyy)
b. Optional referendum 2006
c. Citizens' initiative 2006
d. Agenda initiative 2006

Source: Law #8492.
Last updated: 2007-10-08 17:18:50 UTC

DD14 When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)

Last updated: 2007-10-03 17:39:35 UTC

DD17 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
d. Not applicable

Last updated: 2007-10-08 17:10:27 UTC

DD18 Are optional referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
d. Not applicable

Last updated: 2007-10-08 17:10:27 UTC

DD19 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
d. Not applicable

Last updated: 2007-10-08 17:24:05 UTC

DD20 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
d. Not applicable

Last updated: 2007-10-08 17:24:05 UTC

DD27 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
l. Not applicable

Last updated: 2007-10-08 17:10:27 UTC

DD28 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are optional at the national level?
a. Constitutional amendments
j. Other (specify)

Comments: j. Citizens can propose laws provided the matter to be legislated is not one of the specified in the Constitution, article 105; a referendum can take place upon the proposition of citizenry, the Legislative Assembly or the Executive and Legislative Assembly jointly.
Source: Constitution: 105. Referendum Law: 3.
Last updated: 2007-10-08 17:36:56 UTC

DD29 Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of referendums at the national level?
h. Taxes and public expenditure commitments

Source: C: 105. Referendum Law: 3.
Last updated: 2007-10-08 17:36:56 UTC

DD38 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.

Last updated: 2007-10-03 17:39:35 UTC

DD39 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a optional referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.

Last updated: 2007-10-03 17:39:35 UTC

DD43 When is the outcome of a mandatory referendum binding?
b. Under certain circumstances (specify below)

Comments: For an ordinary legislation, when at least 30% of the citizenry; an 40% for constitutional amendements and every othe issue that requires legislative approval by a qualified majority.
Source: C: 102. Referendum Law: 4.
Last updated: 2007-10-08 17:36:56 UTC

DD67 What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to the time period in which an individual/position can be recalled?

Last updated: 2007-10-03 17:39:35 UTC

DD70 If a separate ballot to replace an individual who has been recalled takes place, how soon after the recall ballot is it held?

Last updated: 2007-10-03 17:39:35 UTC

DD72 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an abrogative referendum (optional)? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2007-10-03 17:39:35 UTC

DD73 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a rejective referendum (optional)? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2007-10-03 17:39:35 UTC

DD74 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a citizens' initiative? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2007-10-03 17:39:35 UTC

DD75 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for an agenda initiative? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2007-10-03 17:39:35 UTC

DD84 How many verified signatures are required to start the formal decision-making stage for a recall? Indicate figures in the appropriate boxes. If more than one answer exists for any individual box, explain in the comment section.

Last updated: 2007-10-03 17:39:35 UTC

Electoral Management

EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones
b. Full Address Calle 15, avenidas 1 y 3, frente al costado oeste del Parque Nacional, San José.
c. Telephone (506) 287 5424
d. Facsimile (506) 233 2840
e. Email comunicaciontse@tse.go.cr
f. Website Address http://www.tse.go.cr
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Dr. Luis Antonio Sobrado González
h. Information Officer Ana María Jiménez
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections Spanish

Source: Supreme Elections Tribunal
Last updated: 2007-09-28 19:46:34 UTC

EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
c. Local level

Source: C: 99 and 102 (7, 8) EL: 3
Last updated: 2007-10-01 18:19:17 UTC

EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
c. The legislature

Comments: The Legislative Assembly. The preparation of the ordinary budget project corresponds to the Executive Branch, through a specialized department. However, the expenses budgeted by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to validate the suffrage may not be challenged by this department. The Legislative Assembly is in charge of approving the budget.
Source: C: 177 and 121 (11). Organic Law of the Supreme Tribunal of Elections (LOTSE): 20 (e)
Last updated: 2007-10-01 18:19:17 UTC

EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
g. Other

Comments: The electoral body is independent and autonomous in its decisions. It counts on an Office of Electoral Auditing and Accounting in order to control its resources, as well as survey, verify, and account the operations of the Civil Registry. The general survey of public expense is carried out by the General Comptrollership of the Republic, which is a body of the Legislative Branch.
Source: C: 9 and 99. LOTSE: 18, 20 (c).
Last updated: 2007-10-01 18:19:17 UTC

EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
b. For a term of _________ years

Comments: The Tribunal is made up by three incumbent and six deputy magistrates in office for a six year term. An incumbent and two deputy magistrates must be renewed every two years, although they may be reelected. From a year before until six months after the elections the TSE must be composed of five incumbent magistrates, so two of the deputy magistrates are appointed incumbent magistrates.
Source: C: 100, 101.
Last updated: 2007-10-01 18:19:17 UTC

EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?

Last updated: 2007-09-28 19:46:34 UTC

EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
a. Total number: There was a total of 2'279,851 citizens registered in the electoral roll for the general elections of February, 2002.

Last updated: 2007-09-28 19:46:34 UTC

EM10 What was the spending (in USD) per registered voter (NOT actual voters) or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters at the last general elections?
a. USD/registered voter $3.30 USD
b. Exchange rate used USD 1 = 365.00 Costa Rican Colons

Last updated: 2007-09-28 19:46:34 UTC

EM11 What are the approximate proportions (%) of total election expenditure for the last national elections devoted to the following?
k. Other *

Last updated: 2007-09-28 19:46:34 UTC

Electoral Systems

ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
a. Head of State is the Head of Government

Source: C: 138 EL: 134
Last updated: 2007-09-28 17:05:30 UTC

ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
b. Directly elected in general elections, absolute majority (with 2nd round if necessary)

Comments: If 40% of valid votes is not attained, there is a second round where the two candidates who obtained the largest amount of votes in the first round participate.
Source: C: 138 EL: 134
Last updated: 2007-09-28 17:05:30 UTC

ES03 Does the country have a president?
a. Yes

Comments: Dr. Oscar Arias Sánchez May 8th, 2006 - May 8th, 2010
Source: C: 130
Last updated: 2007-09-28 17:05:30 UTC

ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
a. One chamber

Comments: The Congress in Costa Rica is Unicameral.
Source: C: 105
Last updated: 2007-09-28 16:57:16 UTC

ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
g. List Proportional Representation

Comments: The fifty-seven members that make up the Legislative Assembly are elected for a period of four years by means of partisan nomination and direct popular voting. Immediate reelection is not allowed.
Source: C: 106 and 107 EL: 134 and 137
Last updated: 2007-09-28 17:05:30 UTC

ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:
e. Not applicable *

Last updated: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 19:40:13 GMT

ES13 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 2, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved:
e. Not applicable *

Last updated: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 19:41:45 GMT

Legislative Framework

LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
b. Separate legislation

Comments: Although the National Constitution establishes the fundamental provisions regarding elections, there is a specific legislation to regulate the organization and the process of elections.
Source: C: 93 to 98 Electoral Code
Last updated: 2007-09-28 19:20:35 UTC

LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
c. Local elections

Comments: It regulates the elections for president and vice-president, for members of Parliament, majors, municipal trustees, and aldermen, as well as members of district and municipal councils.
Source: EL: 97, 98 and 134.
Last updated: 2007-09-28 17:53:17 UTC

LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
c. Voting is compulsory and regulated in the constitution

Comments: Although the Constitution establishes the mandatory nature of suffrage, there is no sanction for the people who do not vote.
Source: C:93; International IDEA Voter Turnout Website (http://www.idea.int/vt/)
Last updated: 2006-11-17 12:34:42 UTC

LF07 What are the agency(ies) responsible for first level of formal electoral disputes?
b. EMB

Comments: Electoral challenges and disputes are solved by provincial and cantonal electoral boards, and by the General Directorate of the Civil Registry. Their judgements may be appealed before the Supreme Elections Tribunal. However, it is possible to resort directly to the Tribunal by means of an electoral challenge and a voiding action.
Source: C: 102 (3), 103. EL: 19 (c), 129 bis, 145.
Last updated: 2007-09-28 19:20:35 UTC

Media and Elections

ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:29:42 UTC

ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:29:42 UTC

ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster? Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:29:42 UTC

ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:29:42 UTC

ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:29:42 UTC

ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:29:42 UTC

ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
h. Not applicable

Comments: There is no allocation of free broadcast time or free printed advertisement space to political parties.
Source: International IDEA (2003) "Funding of Political Parties and Election Campaigns"
Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:29:42 UTC

ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
a. Amount (Euros) X

Comments: There is no financial limits on paid broadcast advertisement but there are regulations limiting the amount of advertisement time a party/candidate can buy.
Source: International IDEA research, February 2007
Last updated: 2007-02-13 13:47:58 UTC

ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:29:42 UTC

ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:29:42 UTC

ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:29:42 UTC

ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:29:42 UTC

ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?

Last updated: 2007-01-17 08:29:42 UTC

ME62 What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
b. 2-3 days

Comments: The day of the election and the two days before that.
Source: EL: 85 TER.
Last updated: 2007-10-03 17:26:00 UTC

Parties and Candidates

PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
c. Regional distribution requirement
f. Other

Comments: a. The support of three thousand voters enrolled in the civil registry if the election is national, or 1% of the voters in the corresponding electoral district (provincial or cantonal). c. Hold assemblies at the corresponding levels. f. Submit the party's charter and bylaws The parties may be national (presidential and legislative elections), provincial (legislative elections), or cantonal (municipal authorities). Whichever party it is, it has to be made up through a notary act endorsed by a group of no less than fifty voters. The party has a term of two years to register in the civil registry in order to have official validation as a political party.
Source: EL: 57, 63 and 64.
Last updated: 2007-10-02 18:50:17 UTC

PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
g. Not applicable

Comments: The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
Last updated: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 11:57:37 GMT

PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
d. Residence

Comments: a. 21 years old b. Born or naturalized d. For the naturalized citizens there is a requirement of a minimum of ten years residing in the country after having obtained the citizenship.
Source: C: 108
Last updated: 2007-10-02 18:50:17 UTC

PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
k. Not applicable

Comments: The national legislature only consists of one chamber.
Last updated: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 11:59:36 GMT

PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
a. Neither in presidential nor legislative elections

Comments: Only the candidates nominated by the parties registered in the Civil Registry are entitled to participate in the elections.
Source: EL: 65.
Last updated: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 17:28:21 GMT

PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
b. Direct
c. Indirect

Comments: The political parties that obtained the percentage of votes set forth by the Political Constitution are the only ones entitled to receive the State contribution. c) Postage franking and use of public buildings
Source: C: 96. EL: 176, 177. International IDEA (2004) "A Challenge for Democracy; Political Parties in Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic"
Last updated: 2007-10-02 18:50:17 UTC

PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
b. Based on result of previous election

Comments: The legislation sets forth that a political party is entitled to receive the contribution of the State if it obtains a minimum of 4% of the issued votes.
Source: C: 96 EL: 187
Last updated: 2007-10-02 18:50:17 UTC

PC17 Are political parties entitled to private funding?
a. Yes

Comments: Individual citizens and national corporations may give out contributions or any other kind of donation, in money or goods, up to a yearly amount of 45 minimum wages established by the Ordinary Budget of the Republic, but only to be spent on research on political parties. An accrual of these contributions during the presidential term (four years) is allowed.
Source: EL: 176 bis
Last updated: 2007-10-02 18:50:17 UTC

Vote Counting

VC01 What are the characteristics of ballots used at national legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Single ballot (all registered parties listed)
d. Categorical (only one mark allowed)
g. Different ballots used in different constituencies
l. No photos or logos, only party and/or candidate names
o. Ballots signed or otherwise authenticated by polling station official

Source: Electoral Law 27
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:27:48 UTC

VC02 What are the characteristics of ballots used at national legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
s. Not applicable

Last updated: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 18:56:27 GMT

VC03 What are the characteristics of ballots used at presidential elections?
a. Single ballot (all registered parties/candidates listed)
d. Categorical (only possible to make one mark)
f. Same ballot papers used nation-wide
j. Candidate photos in color
n. Random listing (lottery)
o. Ballots signed or otherwise authenticated by polling station officials

Source: Electoral Law 27
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:27:48 UTC

VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations

Source: Electoral Law 121.
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:27:48 UTC

VC05 What procedures are used in the initial count?
a. Separate ballots for different elections
b. Preliminary count of all ballots in ballot box
c. Tally of voters who voted
g. Single tallying as voters are being called out
j. Sorted into piles according to individual party/candidate
p. Copies of results of the count are publicly posted at the counting site immediately on the completion of the count
t. Other

Source: Electoral Law 121.
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:27:48 UTC

VC06 Following the sorting and counting, to where are the results first transmitted for consolidation?
e. National level

Comments: The electoral results of each vote reception board are immediately broadcast through the predefined media, to the headquarters of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.
Source: Electoral Law 122.
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:27:48 UTC

VC07 At what levels are seats allocated?
c. Regional level (specify whether it is constituency/ province/ state/ department/other)

Comments: Provinces.
Source: Constitution 106
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:27:48 UTC

VC08 How are the initial/preliminary polling results transmitted and communicated to the different levels?
a. Physically transported
b. By telephone
c. By fax
g. Internet

Comments: The Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE)defines the method of transportation of the results, depending on the site where results shall be generated, the technical facilities, and the security.
Source: Electoral Law 122
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:29:14 UTC

VC09 If the polling results are physically transported, what is transported?
a. Ballots
b. Unused and spoiled ballots
d. Voter rolls
f. Certificate of result

Source: Electoral Law 121
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:27:48 UTC

VC10 If the polling results are physically transported, what security measures are used?
c. Signatures on sealed envelopes
e. Accompanied by election officials
f. Accompanied by party representatives
h. Accompanied by police or other security personnel

Comments: During the transportation of the electoral results from the vote reception board, the deputies of the parties may travel with the electoral documentation until its delivery to the cantonal board or to the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE). The boards may ask for the help of the local police to protect the electoral documentation and to empower whomever they deem appropriate to carry out this task.
Source: Electoral Law 121-n; 122 and 125
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:29:14 UTC

VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
a. Never recounted

Comments: The final tally (not necessarily a recount) is directly carried out by the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE), and thus, the tally of the polling stations is subject to the results given by the TSE.
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:29:14 UTC

VC12 If automatically recounted, what is the trigger?
e. Not applicable

Comments: Ballots are never recounted.
Last updated: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 12:03:26 GMT

VC13 If ballots are recounted by request, who can make the request?
g. Not applicable

Comments: Ballots are never recounted.
Last updated: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 12:04:03 GMT

VC14 If recounted, who conducts the recount?
j. Not applicable

Comments: Ballots are never recounted.
Last updated: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 12:04:36 GMT

VC15 Are preliminary results announced?
b. No

Source: Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE)
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:29:14 UTC

VC16 If preliminary results are announced, how long after the close of polls is this done?
a. hours: two or three hours

Comments: Although there is no preliminar results, the first data are published one or two hours after the closing. Approximately three hours after that, there is some certainty as to who won the elections.
Source: Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE)
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:29:14 UTC

VC17 Is there a legal requirement for the declaration of the officially certified results?
a. Yes

Comments: The Supreme Electoral Tribunal is in charge of the official declaration, once the final counting of votes is defined.
Source: Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE)
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:29:14 UTC

VC18 How long after the close of polls is the certified results publicly announced? (if there is no legal requirement enter the average time)
b. days:

Comments: 30 days for the presidential election. After defining the total amount of valid votes after the tally, the declaration of elections is made. Maximum periods are established to carry out this task depending on the kind of election held: President and vice-president 30 days; Members of Parliament 50 days; Municipal aldermen and trustees 60 days.
Source: Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE)
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:29:14 UTC

Voter Education

VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body

Comments: The TSE (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones) is empowered to define the necessary tools to ensure the electoral transparency and the free exercise of suffrage. Some of these tools are giving information to the voters about the polling sites and the voting procedure.
Source: Constitution: 99, 102 (9) Electoral Law: 114
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:21:31 UTC

VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
a. Continuously

Comments: The Supreme Electoral Tribunal has standing offices for training and public relations, through which it offers several programs of electoral training.
Source: Electoral Law: 25.
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:21:31 UTC

VE03 Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
b. Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body
e. Yes, conducted by the Government

Comments: Alongside the educational task carried out by the Tribunal, the Ministry of Public Education offers mandatory and permanent programs of civic education in elementary and junior high schools throughout the country.
Source: TSE (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones)
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:21:31 UTC

VE04 What types of voter education activities were carried out at the most recent national elections?
a. Poster/ Billboard campaigns
b. Media advertisement

Source: Fuente: TSE (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones)
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:21:31 UTC

VE05 What types of civic education activities were carried out at the most recent national elections?
a. Poster/ Billboard campaigns
b. Media advertisement

Source: TSE (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones)
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:21:31 UTC

VE06 Special voter education programs were developed at the most recent national elections for:
a. Disabled
b. Young people/ first time voters
e. Indigenous groups

Source: TSE (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones)
Last updated: 2006-04-12 22:21:31 UTC

Voting Operations

VO03 Where can electors vote?
a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections

Comments: The electoral law establishes the installation of vote reception boards, as many as necessary per electoral district, so that voters may cast their vote.
Source: EL: 25.
Last updated: 2007-10-02 16:02:42 UTC

VO04 Who can vote from outside the country?
a. Outside the country voting is not permitted

Last updated: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 18:33:57 GMT

VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
g. Not applicable

Comments: Outside the country voting is not permitted.
Last updated: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 11:42:49 GMT

VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
a. Yes, the maximum capacity is: The current maximum is 400 voters per polling station.

Last updated: 2007-10-02 16:02:42 UTC

VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot

Comments: The TSE is empowered to use electronic voting means. It shall apply a pilot plan for electronic voting in 130 polling stations distributed throughout the country for the municipal elections of December 2002.
Source: EL: 112.
Last updated: Tue, 21 Jan 2003 11:47:10 GMT

VO12 How many staff are assigned to each polling station?
a. The smallest polling station: 3
b. The largest polling station: It depends on the registered parties. A total of fifteen partisan formulas were registered for the national elections of 2002.

Last updated: 2007-10-02 16:02:42 UTC

VO13 Approximately how many hours of training were provided to the presiding polling officer for the most recent national elections?
a. hours: one hour

Last updated: 2007-10-02 16:02:42 UTC

VO14 Approximately how many hours of training were provided to the other polling officials for the most recent national elections?
a. hours: One hour

Last updated: 2007-10-02 16:02:42 UTC

Voter Registration

VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18

Source: C: 90. EL: 1.
Last updated: 2007-10-02 15:56:06 UTC

VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
d. Naturalization
e. Other

Comments: d. Naturalized citizens can only vote 12 months after acquiring such status. e. To be included in the Civil Registry and not having one's political rights suspended.
Source: C: 91, 93 and 94. EL: 1 and 2.
Last updated: 2007-10-02 15:56:06 UTC

VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)

Comments: Supreme Tribunal of Elections (TSE). The Civil Registry, through its Elections Department, is in charge of the voter roll, and depends only on the TSE.
Source: C: 104 LOTSE: 37 and 73.
Last updated: 2007-10-02 15:56:06 UTC

VR08 Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
a. Yes

Source: C: 93. EL: 1 and 2.
Last updated: 2007-10-02 15:56:06 UTC

VR09 Approximately what percentage (on the basis of cost) of registration supplies and equipment are obtained or produced within the country?
a. Percentage: 100%

Last updated: 2007-10-02 15:25:44 UTC

May 20, 2008 07:18 AM