Rolando González

While votes are still being counted, the party has moved on.

The PLN Internal Elections Tribunal's decision to suspend its count caused candidate Álvarez Desanti to express concerns about potential fraud.

Four candidates will seek the nomination for the social democratic party, which has elected seven Costa Rica presidents since its founding in 1951.

The order restricting access to information was signed by members of the Legislative Assembly's directorate on Dec. 10, 2014. However it wasn't disclosed to Assembly members until an internal memo went out in early February.

National Liberation Party lawmaker Rolando González Ulloa on Wednesday morning filed an appeal with the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court, or Sala IV, that challenges a directive by the Legislative Assembly's directorate prohibiting officials from providing information or statements to the press without approval by the Assembly’s executive director.

Budget talks ended in a stalemate Thursday at the Legislative Assembly, with Assembly Vice President Marcela Guerrero adjourning the session at 6 p.m. without a deal. Costa Rica's Constitution states that legislators must pass next year's budget by Nov. 30, meaning that lawmakers will have to work Saturday toward a second and final round of voting.

In a tight 25-26 vote, lawmakers on Monday afternoon voted in a first round of debate against the proposed national budget for next year in a hectic session marked by controversy and heated exchanges.