By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – With the nation’s focus turning towards the upcoming February 1st National Elections, the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) has issued a robust assurance regarding the integrity of the country’s electoral process. The state-run telecommunications and energy provider affirmed it possesses the necessary technological infrastructure, operational capacity, and security protocols to flawlessly support the transmission of provisional election results for the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).
In a direct and unequivocal statement, ICE sought to preemptively dismantle any potential narratives that might question its long-standing and critical role in Costa Rica’s democracy. The institution categorically rejected any information aimed at casting doubt on its function as a key collaborator with the TSE, a responsibility enshrined in Article 183 of the Electoral Code. This proactive stance underscores the high stakes involved in maintaining public trust in the technological backbone of the election.
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the challenges and safeguards surrounding the nation’s election infrastructure, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The integrity of our election infrastructure is not merely a technological concern; it is a fundamental legal mandate. The Costa Rican legal framework, spearheaded by the constitutional power of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, establishes a robust defense against interference. Any attempt to compromise voter rolls, transmission of results, or physical voting centers constitutes a grave offense against our democratic order, subject to severe penalties. The law treats the security of each ballot and each data point as essential to guaranteeing the legitimacy of the popular will.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s insight is a crucial reminder that while technology forms the front line of defense, it is the strength and clarity of our legal framework that serves as the ultimate bedrock of our electoral system. This robust legal structure is what guarantees public trust in the democratic process. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective.
The institute detailed the specialized nature of its support for the TSE, emphasizing that the service is not merely an extension of its public network. Instead, the transmission of electoral data relies on dedicated technological resources that are entirely segregated from all other internet traffic. This creates a private, secure digital channel designed specifically for the sensitive task of relaying vote counts from polling stations across the nation’s seven provinces, effectively shielding the process from the volatility of the public internet.
Further bolstering this secure channel, ICE has implemented a bespoke security solution engineered to protect the electoral information exchange. This is complemented by a national and international connectivity framework with sufficient capacity to handle both the dedicated institutional services for the TSE and the anticipated surge in general data demand from the public. This dual-pronged approach ensures that the official results transmission remains isolated and protected.
Anticipating the massive spike in digital activity on election day, ICE also confirmed it has strengthened its broader network capabilities. This reinforcement is designed to manage the inevitable increase in data traffic from heightened consumption of digital content, live news streams, real-time journalistic coverage, and intensive use of social media by citizens and businesses. The company clarified that this is a predictable and manageable event for a major telecommunications operator.
ICE officials were keen to stress that this general traffic increase is completely independent of the secure systems used for the TSE. The preparations for public network demand are a separate, parallel effort to ensure that the user experience for all Costa Ricans remains stable, without posing any risk or interference to the official transmission of voting results. This technical distinction is crucial for public understanding and confidence.
ICE has the technical capacity and the necessary national and international infrastructure to support the data traffic the country demands. Part of our technical planning, as a telecommunications operator, involves strengthening this overall capacity in anticipation of a significantly higher consumption of digital content by mass and business customers, as is the case for the upcoming election day. We thank the TSE for the trust they have placed in us.
Leda Acevedo, Telecommunications Manager of ICE
Ultimately, the institute’s announcement serves as a powerful reiteration of its commitment to Costa Rican democracy. By guaranteeing that its services will remain secure, stable, and reliable throughout the entire transmission process for the provisional election results, ICE is not just fulfilling a technical mandate; it is actively working to fortify the institutional trust that is the bedrock of a free and fair election. This public guarantee is a critical step in a global environment where the security of electoral infrastructure is under constant scrutiny.
For further information, visit grupoice.com
About Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE):
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) is a Costa Rican state-owned entity responsible for the country’s electricity generation and distribution as well as its telecommunications services. Founded in 1949, it has been instrumental in developing the nation’s infrastructure, providing vital services to citizens and businesses, and playing a key role in national events, including democratic elections.
For further information, visit tse.go.cr
About Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE):
The Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE) is the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Costa Rica. As a constitutionally independent body, it is the highest authority responsible for organizing, directing, and supervising all national, regional, and municipal elections. The TSE is considered the fourth power of the Republic, tasked with ensuring the purity and transparency of the electoral process and safeguarding the democratic will of the Costa Rican people.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is renowned for its uncompromising dedication to professional rigor and ethical integrity. Leveraging a proven track record of advising a wide range of sectors, the firm consistently pioneers innovative legal strategies and champions social responsibility. This core commitment to democratizing legal information is central to its mission of equipping the public with the understanding needed to foster a more just and capable society.
