Over 82% of the 12,654 Costa Ricans registered to vote abroad in the elections on February 2 may use a new electronic voting system, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) announced today. Electronic voting, which will be implemented for the first time in Costa Rica presidential elections, is a pilot plan that can be used at the consulates of 31 countries with more than 50 people registered in each. TSE President, Luis Antonio Sobrado, said at a press conference that the voting and the use of electronic voting is “the most important of the major innovations for the elections.” Each voter will have the opportunity to choose the electronic ballot, which includes the option to vote on a touch screen computer.
A receipt will be printed immediately so that the voter can ensure that the vote cast is correct. “This paper is going to be taken by the person, folded, and deposited in the respective ballot box,” said the manager of the electoral program, Paola Alvarado.
The investment to implement electronic voting and overseas voting in this election is about $260,000, and that includes sending an officer of the court with each machine to be part of the polling stations abroad, reported the TSE.
Source: Costa Rica Electronic Voting Comes to Thousands of Voters Abroad | The Costa Rica News.
