COSTA RICA: parliamentary elections Asamblea Legislativa, 1998

COSTA RICA
Parliamentary Chamber: Asamblea Legislativa

ELECTIONS HELD IN 1998

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Chamber:

Asamblea Legislativa

Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):

1 February 1998

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:

In keeping with tradition, the 1998 parliamentary elections were combined with voting for President of the Republic and municipal authorities.
Leading contestants to succeed Mr. José Maria Figueres Olsen (ineligible for re-election) for the presidency were Mr. Miguel Angel Rodriguez of the opposition Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC) and Mr. José Miguel Corrales of the ruling National Liberation Party (PLN). During the campaign, these two rivals’ mutual personal accusations somewhat overshadowed policy debates. Mr. Rodriguez - unsuccessful candidate in the 1994 election - vowed to strengthen the country’s economy particularly by attracting increased foreign investment and limiting public spending.
Polling day, monitored by some 150 international observers, saw a relatively low turnout by Costa Rican standards. Final results gave Mr. Rodriguez a narrow victory over Mr. Corrales. The centre-right PUSC likewise reversed the situation in Parliament by capturing 27 seats to 23 for the social-democratic PLN - five less than its previous total. The seven remaining seats went to four minor parties.
On 8 May, President Rodriguez was sworn in and his new Cabinet was formally inaugurated .

STATISTICS

Round no 1 (1 February 1998): Elections results

Number of registered electors 2,045,980

Voters 1,431,913 (69.98%)

Blank or invalid ballot papers 43,215

Valid votes 1,388,698

Round no 1: Distribution of votes

Political Group Votes

Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC) 652,160

National Liberation Party (PLN) 618,934

Democratic Force (PFD) 73,953

Liberty Movement (PML) 24,520

National Integration (PIN) 24,787

National Labour Action of Alajuela (PALA) 16,955

Costarician Renovation (PRC) 12,912

Others 27,547

Round no 1: Distribution of seats

Political Group Total

Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC) 27

National Liberation Party (PLN) 23

Democratic Force (PFD) 2

Liberty Movement (PML) 2

National Integration (PIN) 1

National Labour Action of Alajuela (PALA) 1

Costarician Renovation (PRC) 1

Others 0

Distribution of seats according to sex:

Men: 46

Women: 11

Distribution of seats according to age:

31-40 years 15

41-50 years 20

51-60 years 8

61-70 years 5

Distribution of seats according to profession:

Lawyers 13

Managers 10

Teachers 7

Business administration 4

Doctors 4

Engineers 3

Economists 2

Journalists 2

Farmers 2

Public administration 2

Others 8

<<< Return to the Historical Archive page of parliamentary election results for COSTA RICA <<<

Chamber:
	Asamblea Legislativa
Dates of elections / renewal (from/to):
	1 February 1998
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:
	In keeping with tradition, the 1998 parliamentary elections were combined with voting for President of the Republic and municipal authorities. Leading contestants to succeed Mr. José Maria Figueres Olsen (ineligible for re-election) for the presidency were Mr. Miguel Angel Rodriguez of the opposition Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC) and Mr. José Miguel Corrales of the ruling National Liberation Party (PLN). During the campaign, these two rivals’ mutual personal accusations somewhat overshadowed policy debates. Mr. Rodriguez - unsuccessful candidate in the 1994 election - vowed to strengthen the country’s economy particularly by attracting increased foreign investment and limiting public spending. Polling day, monitored by some 150 international observers, saw a relatively low turnout by Costa Rican standards. Final results gave Mr. Rodriguez a narrow victory over Mr. Corrales. The centre-right PUSC likewise reversed the situation in Parliament by capturing 27 seats to 23 for the social-democratic PLN - five less than its previous total. The seven remaining seats went to four minor parties. On 8 May, President Rodriguez was sworn in and his new Cabinet was formally inaugurated .

Round no 1 (1 February 1998): Elections results
Number of registered electors	2,045,980
Voters	1,431,913 (69.98%)
Blank or invalid ballot papers	43,215
Valid votes	1,388,698

Round no 1: Distribution of votes
Political Group	Votes
Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC)	652,160
National Liberation Party (PLN)	618,934
Democratic Force (PFD)	73,953
Liberty Movement (PML)	24,520
National Integration (PIN)	24,787
National Labour Action of Alajuela (PALA)	16,955
Costarician Renovation (PRC)	12,912
Others	27,547

Round no 1: Distribution of seats
Political Group	Total
Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC)	27
National Liberation Party (PLN)	23
Democratic Force (PFD)	2
Liberty Movement (PML)	2
National Integration (PIN)	1
National Labour Action of Alajuela (PALA)	1
Costarician Renovation (PRC)	1
Others	0

Distribution of seats according to age:
31-40 years	15
41-50 years	20
51-60 years	8
61-70 years	5
Distribution of seats according to profession:
Lawyers	13
Managers	10
Teachers	7
Business administration	4
Doctors	4
Engineers	3
Economists	2
Journalists	2
Farmers	2
Public administration	2
Others	8