25 candidates aspire to the presidency of the Central American country. | Photo: www.confidencial.com.ni

San Jose, February 5 (RHC)-- The presidential elections in Costa Rica began this Saturday in the Australian capital of Canberra, with the opening of the Voting Reception Board to receive the vote of Costa Rican citizens residing in Australia.

According to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), voters abroad will only be able to vote for the president and the two vice presidents of the Central American country.  Due to the time difference, the first electoral center opened its doors in Canberra, at 16:00 Costa Rican time, but the results of each of the sites abroad will not be transmitted until 18:00 local time on Sunday, as established in the Electoral Code.

The Costa Rican Foreign Ministry and the TSE revealed on Wednesday, February 2, that the 80 Voting Boards in 42 countries were ready to receive the vote of Costa Rican citizens residing abroad.  

Foreign Minister Rodolfo Solano, the president of the TSE, Eugenia María Zamora, held a virtual meeting with several general consuls, representing the 52 consulates in 42 countries, which will support in the organization of the 80 Voting Boards that will receive the 50,833 Costa Ricans registered to vote abroad.

Solano emphasized that the vote abroad, besides strengthening Costa Rican democracy, also contributes to reinforce the national identity.  The TSE indicated that the United States registers the largest number of Costa Rican citizens abroad with 35,517, of which 14,230 are registered in New York.

Around 3.5 million Tico voters are summoned to vote on Sunday for the president, two vice presidents and the 57 deputies to the Legislative Assembly, who will exercise their positions in the period 2022-2026.

A total of 25 candidates are vying for Costa Rica's presidency, but polls show that only six of them are likely to win the elections.