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 208 states:

In case of death, resignation, or supervening incapacity of the duly appointed candidates for the Presidency or Vice presidency of the Republic…the replacement will be made according to the statutes of the respective party, or in its defect, according to the agreement of the National Assembly. After this period and only in cases of death or supervening incapacity, the vacancy shall be filled by promotion, from the candidates for the Vice Presidency.

 

Excerpt from the Electoral Code (2009)