Electoral Systems

Costa Rica

ES001

Question:	How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):	a. Head of State is the Head of Government c. Directly elected in general elections (absolute majority with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments:
Source:	Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica”, art. 138 & 139: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-constitucion-politica-reformas-2015.pdf/; Electoral Law: “Ley 8765: Código Electoral”, art. 201: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-ley-8765-codigo-electoral-2018.pdf/
Verified:	2018/01/24

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ES002

Question:	How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:	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:	Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica”, art. 138: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-constitucion-politica-reformas-2015.pdf/; Electoral Law: “Ley 8765: Código Electoral”, art. 201: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-ley-8765-codigo-electoral-2018.pdf/
Verified:	2018/01/24

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ES003

Question:	Does the country have a president?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica”, art. 136: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-constitucion-politica-reformas-2015.pdf/
Verified:	2018/01/24

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ES004

Question:	The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:	a. One chamber
Comments:	The Legislative Assembly in Costa Rica is unicameral, composed of 57 representatives.
Source:	Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica”, art. 105 & 106: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-constitucion-politica-reformas-2015.pdf/
Verified:	2018/01/24

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ES005

Question:	What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):	g. List Proportional Representation
Comments:	The 57 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:	Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica”, art. 106: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-constitucion-politica-reformas-2015.pdf/; Electoral Law: “Ley 8765: Código Electoral”, art. 151 & 201: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-ley-8765-codigo-electoral-2018.pdf/
Verified:	2018/01/24

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