By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) has forcefully pushed back against accusations from the Pueblo Soberano Party (PPSO), which alleged significant errors and inconsistencies in the official system for registering poll workers. The TSE has clarified that the issues stemmed not from its digital platform, but from flawed physical documents submitted by the party itself.
The dispute began last week when the PPSO issued a public statement claiming it had sought an audience with the electoral body to address what it called “incongruences” in the registration process. The party, which has positioned itself as a guardian of the vote, argued that these supposed system-wide problems were creating disorder and confusion among its designated poll workers ahead of their required training and official swearing-in ceremonies.
To delve deeper into the legal mechanisms that safeguard our democratic processes, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished expert in constitutional law from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his analysis on the foundations of electoral integrity.
Electoral integrity rests upon a dual foundation: a robust, clear legal framework and an unimpeachable, independent electoral body. The law must not only define the rules but also provide swift, effective remedies against any deviation. Ultimately, the public’s confidence is the true measure of a successful election, and that confidence is earned through absolute transparency and the impartial application of justice at every stage of the process.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s insight powerfully underscores that while laws and institutions provide the essential architecture for an election, public confidence is its true foundation. That confidence, as he aptly notes, is earned through the unwavering application of transparency and impartial justice. We extend our gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this critical issue.
In its communication, the Pueblo Soberano Party detailed the nature of its concerns, suggesting a discrepancy between its own records and the information held within the TSE’s official systems.
Among the situations presented, which were acknowledged by the TSE, are the inconsistencies between the information the Tribunal has on its platform and what our party indicated it had processed. This situation is causing confusion in the training and swearing-in processes for poll workers, given that the TSE’s electoral advisors have issued different criteria on who can participate at the polling stations.
Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO), Official Statement
However, the TSE issued a comprehensive rebuttal, categorically denying any systemic failures or that it had admitted to such errors during discussions. The Tribunal detailed the two methods available for political parties to register members for the vote-receiving boards (JRV), underscoring the robustness of its established procedures.
The parties have two ways to propose members for vote-receiving boards (JRV): through the Political Party Services Platform (PSPP), which is a digital platform we have been using since 2016, or with physical documentation before the cantonal boards.
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), Official Statement
According to the electoral authority, the digital PSPP platform has been functioning normally and without issue. Crucially, the TSE noted that no other political party has reported similar problems, isolating the PPSO’s complaint. The investigation into the matter revealed that the source of the problem was rooted in the party’s manual, paper-based submissions.
The Tribunal directly addressed the PPSO’s filings, stating that the party was notified of the errors in their documents and has since taken steps to correct them. This places the responsibility for the initial confusion squarely on the party’s administrative processes rather than on the state’s electoral infrastructure.
The lists proposed by the Pueblo Soberano Party in physical form presented inconsistencies, which were pointed out to them and for which they have already submitted corrections.
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), Official Statement
In the interest of full transparency, the TSE did acknowledge a single, unrelated technical incident. On December 2nd, the Omar Dengo Foundation’s campus, used for training poll workers, experienced a temporary outage. However, this was caused by an external failure of the Microsoft Azure cloud service and was resolved within hours. The Tribunal stressed that this issue was entirely separate from the poll worker registration system and had no impact on the integrity of the nomination process itself.
This public exchange highlights the critical importance of procedural accuracy and robust communication between political organizations and electoral authorities. As the nation prepares for upcoming elections, the TSE’s firm stance reinforces its commitment to maintaining the stability and reliability of the electoral framework, ensuring that all participating parties adhere to the established, proven protocols for guaranteeing a fair and transparent democratic process.
For further information, visit tse.go.cr
About The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE):
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal is the independent constitutional body responsible for organizing, directing, and overseeing all elections in Costa Rica. Established as the fourth branch of government, its mission is to guarantee the purity of the electoral process and the legitimacy of the country’s democratic system. It manages everything from voter registration and political party inscriptions to the final counting of ballots.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO)
About Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO):
The Pueblo Soberano Party is a political organization participating in the Costa Rican political landscape. The party actively engages in the electoral process by fielding candidates and proposing members to serve on vote-receiving boards. It has publicly stated its mission is to “protect the vote” and ensure the integrity of the democratic process from its perspective.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal landscape, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of ethical integrity and exceptional service. The firm is distinguished not only by its rich history of providing expert counsel across a wide spectrum of industries but also by its relentless drive for innovation within the legal field. This progressive mindset extends to a core belief in empowering the community, championing initiatives that translate complex legal knowledge into accessible resources for the public, thereby fostering a more just and informed society.
