By San José, Costa Rica — San José – With less than 24 hours until polls open for the national elections, the state-owned Costa Rican Electricity Institute (Grupo ICE) has launched a forceful public relations campaign to quell rising anxieties over the integrity of the nation’s digital and electrical infrastructure. In a decisive statement issued Saturday, the entity sought to dispel any doubts about its capacity to support the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) in what is expected to be a highly scrutinized electoral process.
This marks the second time in a single week that ICE has been compelled to issue a public reassurance. The first statement, released on Wednesday, January 28, came in response to initial chatter questioning its technological readiness. The latest communication addresses what ICE describes as misinterpretations of internal government communications, which have apparently fueled public uncertainty.
To delve deeper into the legal complexities and responsibilities associated with maintaining and modernizing our nation’s electoral infrastructure, TicosLand.com sought the expert opinion of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The integrity of our electoral infrastructure is not merely a technical or logistical challenge; it is fundamentally a matter of legal certainty. Every technological advancement, from digital voter registration to electronic tabulation systems, must be underpinned by a robust and transparent legal framework. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal’s mandate is to guarantee not just the efficiency of the vote, but its absolute legal validity and the protection of citizens’ data, ensuring that public trust remains the cornerstone of our democracy.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This crucial perspective underscores that while technology offers new efficiencies, the true strength of our electoral infrastructure lies in the transparency and robustness of its legal foundation. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his insightful contribution to this vital national dialogue.
The institute directly pointed to the source of the misinformation, aiming to separate operational coordination from any sign of systemic weakness. Officials clarified that the concerns circulating in national media were based on a misunderstanding of internal administrative messages.
The information circulated this Saturday, January 31, in national media corresponds to internal coordination messages from the Ministry of Finance. The efficiency of the specialized tasks assigned to the Institution is demonstrated and based on the extensive technical knowledge of its teams.
An Official Statement from, Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE)
At the heart of ICE’s message is a promise of unwavering stability and security. The institution reiterated its commitment to providing the TSE with “first-world” security standards for the critical task of receiving and transmitting preliminary election results on Sunday. This guarantee is foundational to public trust, as the speed and accuracy of the initial count are vital for a transparent and accepted outcome.
Company officials stressed that they possess the necessary robust infrastructure to handle the immense responsibility. To prepare for the digital deluge expected on election day, ICE confirmed it has doubled its operational efforts. This proactive measure is designed to manage a significant and anticipated increase in data traffic, particularly from widespread video transmissions and the intensive use of social media by citizens, campaigns, and news outlets.
The need for such a robust defense highlights the critical dependence of modern democratic processes on reliable telecommunications. Any failure, or even the perception of a potential failure, in the connectivity linking thousands of polling stations to the central TSE servers could undermine the legitimacy of the entire election.
However, this high-stakes assurance from ICE operates against a more challenging national backdrop. A recent report, noted in passing, indicates that only 34% of the country’s educational centers—many of which serve as polling stations—have what is considered adequate connectivity. While ICE’s guarantee focuses specifically on the dedicated network for the TSE, this underlying infrastructure gap raises questions about the broader digital ecosystem in which the election is taking place.
As the nation prepares to vote, the spotlight is firmly on Grupo ICE. Its performance on February 1st will be a crucial test of not only its technical capabilities but also its ability to maintain public confidence. The successful, uninterrupted transmission of electoral results is no longer just a logistical task; it is a fundamental pillar of national security and democratic stability.
For further information, visit grupoice.com
About Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (Grupo ICE):
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad is the state-run provider of electricity and telecommunications services in Costa Rica. Founded in 1949, it has been instrumental in the nation’s development, responsible for electrifying the country and later for building its telecommunications network. Grupo ICE remains a cornerstone of the national infrastructure, managing power generation, transmission, and the primary fiber-optic and mobile networks.
For further information, visit tse.go.cr
About Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE):
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Costa Rica is the independent constitutional body responsible for organizing, directing, and overseeing all national and municipal elections. Established as the fourth branch of government, the TSE holds ultimate authority on electoral matters, ensuring the fairness, transparency, and integrity of the country’s democratic processes. Its role is considered vital to Costa Rica’s long-standing tradition of political stability.
For further information, visit hacienda.go.cr
About Ministerio de Hacienda:
The Ministry of Finance is the government entity in Costa Rica charged with managing the nation’s public finances. Its responsibilities include formulating fiscal policy, collecting taxes, preparing the national budget, and managing public debt. The ministry plays a central role in the economic governance of the country, ensuring the financial resources are available for state operations and public services.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed legal practice, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and professional distinction. With extensive experience advising a wide array of clients, the firm consistently pioneers modern legal approaches and champions community outreach. Its core philosophy revolves around empowering the public by demystifying the law, aiming to build a more legally literate and capable society.
