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Parties and Candidates

Costa Rica Costa Rica

PC001

Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question:What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s): 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: Electoral Law: “Ley 8765: Código Electoral”, art. 60-62: 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.)
PC003

Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question:What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s): 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: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica”, art. 108: 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.)
PC008

Independent candidates
Question:Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s): 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: Electoral Law: “Ley 8765: Código Electoral”, art. 148: 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.)
PC012

Public funding of parties
Question:Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s): b. Direct
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: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica”, art. 96: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-constitucion-politica-reformas-2015.pdf/; Electoral Law: “Ley 8765: Código Electoral”, art. 90: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-constitucion-politica-reformas-2015.pdf/; Regulations on political parties' funding: "Reglamento sobre el financiamiento de los partidos políticos", http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-decreto-17-2009-reglamento-financiamiento-partidos-politicos.pdf/
Verified: 2018/01/24
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
PC015


Question:What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s): 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: Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica”, art. 96: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-constitucion-politica-reformas-2015.pdf/; Electoral Law: “Ley 8765: Código Electoral”, art. 90: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-ley-8765-codigo-electoral-2018.pdf/; Regulations on political parties' funding: "Reglamento sobre el financiamiento de los partidos políticos", http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-decreto-17-2009-reglamento-financiamiento-partidos-politicos.pdf/
Verified: 2018/01/24
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
PC017


Question:Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: 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. Individual citizens can give any amount. Foreign aid is illegal.
Source: Electoral Law: “Ley 8765: Código Electoral”, art. 86 & 120: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-ley-8765-codigo-electoral-2018.pdf/; Regulations on political parties' funding: "Reglamento sobre el financiamiento de los partidos políticos", art. 79: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CR/costa-rica-decreto-17-2009-reglamento-financiamiento-partidos-politicos.pdf/
Verified: 2018/01/24
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
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