Chamber:
	Asamblea Legislativa
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	6 February 1994
Purpose of elections:
	Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament on the normal expiry of the members’ term of office.
Background and outcome of elections:
	As it is custom in Costa Rica, the 1994 parliamentary elections were held simultaneously with those for President of the Republic and municipalities. Main contenders to succeed Mr. Rafael Angel Calderon (ineligible for re-election) for the presidency were Mr. José Maria Figueres Olsen of the opposition National Liberation Party (PLN) and Mr. Miguel Angel Rodriguez of the ruling Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC). Mr. Figueres, son of the former President who founded the PLN and was regarded as the father of modern Costa Rica, criticised the economic policies of the outgoing administration, calling especially for increased welfare programmes to reduce the gulf between rich and poor and for improved health and education services. He also recommended the easing of free-market reforms and renegotiations of the country’s agreements with international financial organisations (although analysts expected little change to the structural adjustment programme in this field.) In contrast, Mr. Rodriguez vowed to step up the economic reforms and keep in place the austerity measures implemented by this party. Polling day was monitored by some 150 international observers, including the Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS). While Mr. Figueres narrowly won the presidential race the centre-left PLN also topped the legislative contests, picking up three additional seats to replace the right-wing PUSC as largest party in the Assembly. Three minor parties captured the remaining four seats. Mr. Figueres took office on 8 May for a term of four years. A new Cabinet was sworn in the same day.

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (6 February 1994): Elections results
Number of registered electors	1,881,348
Voters	1,525,624 (81.09%)
Blank or invalid ballot papers	50,031
Valid votes	1,475,593

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Votes
National Liberation Party (PLN)	658,258
Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC)	595,802
Democratic Force Party	78,454
Cartago Agricultural Union Party	16,336
National Agrarian Party	13,589
Others	113,154

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total	Gain/Loss
National Liberation Party (PLN)	28	+3
Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC)	25	-4
Democratic Force Party	2	+2
Cartago Agricultural Union Party	1	=
National Agrarian Party	1	+1
Others	0	-2

Distribution of seats according to sex:
Men:	49
Women:	8