costa rica 2014 elections

The three crew members of a Public Security Ministry (MPS) helicopter on Monday resulted only with minor injuries after the aircraft failed in its attempt to take off and crashed to the ground.

Dark horse candidate Luis Guillermo Solís of the Citizen Action Party delighted supporters and shocked opponents as he tallied more support than any of the other 12 presidential candidates, forcing the election into an April 6 runoff, the second in the country’s history. Analysts see his performance as an indication that Ticos are looking for change, but not too much.

Nearly eight out of 10 Costa Ricans registered to vote abroad in Sunday's presidential elections decided to stay home. This is the first time Ticos could vote from other countries, and the turnout was less than stellar.

National Liberation Party candidate Johnny Araya still has a shot to win Costa Rica's presidency. His campaign will have two months to swing the tide in his favor before the April 6 runoff against rival Luis Guillermo Solís. But right now it's hard to figure out which was more incredible: Solís' unbelievable comeback or Araya's fall.

With 9 percent of votes counted by the Supreme Elections Tribunal at 8:30 p.m. Sunday night, the ruling PLN candidate Johnny Araya had what seemed a commanding lead – 36.24 percent, followed by Citizen Action Party candidate Luis Guillermo Solís, with 22.8 percent. It was all downhill from there.

The attention on Costa Rica’s presidential election has focused mainly on four political parties, but 13 candidates participated, many of them knowing their chances of victory were slim to nil. Now, minority parties are hoping for a shot at gaining seats in the next legislature.

The Tico Times will update results as Costa Rica's election authority reports them.

As the sun began to set on Costa Rica's 2014 elections, supporters lined the Inter-American Highway in San Pedro, east of San José, cheering wildly and honking their horns: Beep beep beep, BEEP. Beep beep beep, BEEP. Helicopters flew over. Car alarms sounded. Strangers smiled at each other, gave high fives and hugged, despite the colors of the flags they held. In Costa Rica, election time is also a celebration of democracy.

Families lined up around the block at the National Stadium in western San José this afternoon for the Supreme Elections Tribunal’s official children’s election.