| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Asamblea Legislativa / Legislative Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| BACKGROUND |
| Dates of election / renewal (from/to) |
2 February 2014 |
| Purpose of elections |
The National Liberation Party (PLN), in power since 2006, remained the largest force in the 57-member Legislative Assembly, taking 18 seats, down from 24 previously. The Citizens' Action Party (PAC) took 13. The Broad Front (FA) increased its share from one to nine seats.
Costa Ricans abroad were allowed to vote for the first time in the parliamentary and presidential elections. According to the constitution, President Laura Chinchilla Miranda (PLN) could not run for a second consecutive term.
The centrist PLN pledged to reduce poverty in the country. Its presidential candidate, Mr. Johnny Araya, the former Mayor of San José, argued that Costa Rica did not want extremism, neither from the left nor the right. The Citizens' Action Party (PAC) endorsed Mr. Luis Guillermo Solís, a former PLN member. The PAC promised to alleviate inequality, improve public infrastructure and fight corruption. The FA's presidential candidate, 36-year-old José Maria Villata, was the sole FA member in the outgoing legislature. The FA promised to pay for sex-change operations under the public health system.
None of the 13 presidential candidates secured 40 per cent of the votes to be elected in the first round. Run-off elections the first since 2002 - are due to be held on 6 April between Mr. Solís (PAC) and Mr. Araya (PLN). |
Date of previous elections: 7 February 2010
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: N/A
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections: February 2018
Number of seats at stake: 57 (full renewal)
Percentage of women candidates: Not available.
Number of parties contesting the election: 15
Number of parties winning seats: 9
Alternation of power: Yes
Number of parties in government: 1
Names of parties in government: Citizens' Action Party (PAC)
Date of the first session of the new parliament: 1 May 2014
Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Henry Manuel Mora Jiménez (Citizens' Action Party, PAC) |
| STATISTICS |
| Voter turnout |
| Round no 1 | 2 February 2014 |
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes |
3'065'667
2'096'155 (68.38%)
|
|
Notes
|
|
| Distribution of seats |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Total
|
|
|
|
|
| National Liberal Party (PNL) |
18
|
|
|
|
|
| Citizens' Action Party (PAC) |
13
|
|
|
|
|
| Broad Front (FA) |
9
|
|
|
|
|
| Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC) |
8
|
|
|
|
|
| Liberty Movement (PML) |
4
|
|
|
|
|
| Costa Rican Renovation Party (PRC) |
2
|
|
|
|
|
| Accessibility Without Exclusion (PASE) |
1
|
|
|
|
|
| National Restoration Party (PREN) |
1
|
|
|
|
|
| Christian Democratic Alliance (ADC) |
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to sex |
Men
Women
Percent of women |
38
19
33.33%
|
| Distribution of seats according to age |
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to profession |
|
|
| Comments |
Sources:
Legislative Assembly (05.03.2014, 07.05.2014, 01.01.2017)
http://www.tse.go.cr/declaratorias.htm |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Last elections module
