Info
Electoral Systems
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
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
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
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
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
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Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.