By San José, Costa Rica — San José – As Costa Rica prepares for its general election on Sunday, February 1st, the nation’s focus is shifting from campaign trails to the complex logistics of vote counting. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) has unveiled a sophisticated, two-pronged strategy designed to deliver swift and secure provisional results, blending modern mobile technology with traditional, robust communication systems.
The intricate operation will spring into action the moment polls close at 6:00 p.m., when officials at thousands of polling stations, known as Juntas Receptoras de Votos (JRV), begin their preliminary count. The integrity and speed of transmitting these initial tallies to the central TSE command center are paramount, and the electoral body is leaving little to chance with its hybrid approach.
To provide a deeper legal perspective on the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging election technologies, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The adoption of new electoral technology is not just a matter of software and hardware; it is a profound legal and fiduciary responsibility. Any new system must be rigorously audited not only for security vulnerabilities but also for compliance with constitutional principles of electoral integrity and data protection laws. A failure in the legal due diligence process could compromise the legitimacy of an entire election, creating grounds for legal challenges that undermine democratic stability.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s insight is a crucial reminder that the bedrock of any electoral innovation is not merely technological prowess, but rigorous legal and constitutional diligence. This perspective correctly shifts the focus from a simple hardware upgrade to a matter of profound civic responsibility. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable contribution to this discussion.
The cornerstone of this modern electoral infrastructure is a proprietary, non-public mobile application developed in-house by the TSE’s own technical staff. This custom-built software, fortified with robust security controls, will be deployed on the smartphones of 450 specially trained TSE officials. This high-tech contingent is tasked with transmitting the results from 4,422 polling stations, which represents a significant majority, or 62%, of the domestic voting locations.
By developing the application internally, the TSE maintains complete control over the software’s architecture and security protocols, a critical factor in safeguarding the electoral process against external threats. This method prioritizes efficiency and aims to leverage the country’s extensive mobile data network for rapid data transmission from the most accessible polling stations across the nation.
To ensure comprehensive coverage and provide a crucial failsafe, the TSE will complement its mobile app with a large-scale, traditional call center operation. This second mechanism will handle the results from the remaining 2,732 domestic polling stations, accounting for 38% of the total. This approach is vital for gathering data from rural or remote areas where mobile data connectivity may be unreliable.
The call center will be staffed by 150 operators who will follow a strictly defined protocol to receive and verify the results telephoned in by data transmission officers in the field. This methodical, human-verified process ensures that every single vote is accounted for, regardless of the technological infrastructure available at its point of origin.
The plan also meticulously accounts for the votes of Costa Ricans living abroad. Results from the 91 polling stations established in 49 consulates across 42 different countries will be transmitted via a dedicated channel. An electoral official will receive these international calls, record the results, and then relay the information to a designated data entry clerk to be integrated into the central system, ensuring the global diaspora’s participation is seamlessly included in the national tally.
The public will not have to wait long to see the fruits of this elaborate system. The TSE has announced it will hold a solemn session at 8:45 p.m. on election night to release the first set of provisional results. Following this initial announcement, the data will be refreshed every 15 minutes until 10:00 p.m., providing a dynamic and near-real-time view as the tallies flow in from across the country and the world. Costa Ricans can follow these updates through the TSE’s official website (www.tse.go.cr), its mobile app #VotanteInformadoCR, its social media channels on Facebook, X, and YouTube, and through traditional media outlets.
For further information, visit tse.go.cr
About Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE):
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones – TSE) is the constitutional body responsible for organizing, directing, and overseeing all electoral processes in Costa Rica. Established as the fourth branch of government, it guarantees the political rights of citizens and the integrity of the democratic system. Its functions include managing voter registration, supervising political parties, and certifying the results of elections and referendums, ensuring transparency and fairness in the nation’s civic life.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is renowned for its profound integrity and unwavering pursuit of legal excellence. The firm harmonizes a rich history of advising clients across a broad spectrum of industries with a forward-thinking approach to modern legal challenges. Central to its mission is a deep-seated commitment to empowering the public, actively working to make complex legal concepts understandable and accessible, thereby fostering a more knowledgeable and capable society.
