Costa Rica

Population Statistics

4,814,144

Total Population

722,122

Population with a disability

according to World Health Organization’s 15% estimate

Election Dates

01 October 2008

Ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Political Constitution of the Republic of Costa Rica (1949, last amended 2005)

Updated: June 2015

Article 108 states:

The requirements to become a Representative are:

  • (1) To be a citizen in the exercise of his rights…

 

Article 121 states:

In addition to other powers vested in it by this Constitution, the Legislative Assembly has exclusive powers to:… Take the legal oath and receive the resignation of members of the Supreme Branches of Government, with the exception of Cabinet Ministers; settle any doubts that may arise in the event of the physical or mental incapacity of the person exercising the Presidency of the Republic, and decide whether to summon his legal substitute to take office…

 

Article 131 states:

The requirements to be President or Vice President of the Republic are:

  • (1) To be Costa Rican by birth and a citizen in the exercise of his rights…

 

Article 142 states:

The requirements to be a Minister are:

  • (1) To be a citizen in the exercise of his rights…

 

Article 159 states:

The requirements to be a Justice of the Supreme Court are:…

  • (3) To be a citizen in the exercise of his rights…

 

Article 183 states:

…The Comptroller and the Assistant Comptroller are accountable to the Assembly for the performance of their duties and may be removed by a vote of no less than two-thirds of its members, if their unfitness or misconduct is demonstrated in the proceedings conducted for that purpose.

 

Excerpts from the Political Constitution of the Republic of Costa Rica (1949, last amended 2005)

Electoral Code (2009)

Updated: June 2015

Article 181 states:

…[People with visual impairment] will be able to vote in secret if they prefer to do so, by the system of a ballot guide, for which the TSE will take corresponding provisions. … In the case of not being able to vote by themselves:

  • (a) They will be able to be accompanied to the precincts by a person of trust who will cast a vote for them.
  • (b) They will be able to do so publicly when they explicitly request the assistance of the polling board; in such a case, the head of the polling station will vote according to the instructions of the voter.

 

Excerpt from the Electoral Code (2009)