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Electoral Systems

Costa Rica Costa Rica

ES001

Head of State
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
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES002

Head of Government
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
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES003

President
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
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES004

Number of Chambers
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
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES005

Electoral System (Chamber 1)
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
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
The data on this page is continuously updated. Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.