Otto Guevara

Costa Rica now faces what would have been an unthinkable proposition a year ago – a new political party taking over the government.

In the last debate before Costa Rica decides its next president (or at least whoever will make it to the second round), several leading candidates faced down old accusations and questions.

Two of the top four presidential candidates have open criminal investigations against them, including allegations of misuse of campaign funds and abuse of authority.

Johnny Araya, the ruling National Liberation Party's candidate for president and a poll leader heading into the Feb. 2 vote, promised Sunday to lead an administration with a "social face" if elected. Araya made the statement during a San José rally to wrap up his campaign.

[INTERACTIVE GRAPHIC] Explore how pollsters in Costa Rica stacked up during President Laura Chinchilla's election in 2010.

Three of the candidates leading the polls in Costa Rica's presidential race will participate Friday in a forum organized by the National Association of Public and Private Employees, once of the country's biggest unions.

The four highest polling candidates have all stated they would expand benefits to gay couples such as property rights, though none have advocated true legalization. Johnny Araya, José María Villalta, Otto Guevara and Luis Guillermo Solís have said they support inheritance rights, hospital visitation rights, and access to social security and medical benefits. The candidates varied on the emphasis and extent of their proposals.

With several presidential debates already behind us and one more to go before Feb. 2 elections, voters might be getting a little winded with the same five candidates reiterating their positions on various issues and displaying general contempt for each other.

A second round in the Feb. 2 presidential race could turn the dynamics upside-down with current third-place candidate Otto Guevara as a favorite, according to a poll published Thursday.

Costa Rica seems headed for its second runoff election in history with three candidates in a dead heat 15 days before the Feb. 2 election, according to the latest national poll.