In the elections of February 4th, 34% of the voters did not vote. That figure could grow in the second electoral round to be held on April 1st, or the Resurrection Sunday celebrated by Catholics.
That day the people will have to choose between Fabricio Alvarado from National Restoration (RN) and Carlos Alvarado from the Citizen Action Party (PAC), but everything points to fewer Costa Ricans defining the course of the country.
Gustavo Araya, political analyst, assured that there are three factors that could increase this abstention:
1. In the second round there will not be traditional parties like National Liberation (PLN) and the Christian Social Unit (PUSC), so many of their followers will not go to the polls.
2. There is a social division of voters because everything focuses on elements that do not interest some, such as beliefs or positions linked to religion and faith.
3. And finally, the other important factor is that April 1st is in Easter, when many people leave the Central Valley towards the beach and tourist places.
The specialist believes that the leaders of the political parties should call on the population to go to vote.
Claudio Alpízar, also a political analyst, projects that abstention could reach between 50 and 55% next April.
According to data from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), in the second round of 2002 there was an abstention of 40%, while in 2014 it was 43.5%.
Although there is a movement in social networks to move the elections to April 8th, the truth is that the law does not allow it and they would have to reform it in order to apply it, but for this year it is impossible.
The second round will cost the country more than ¢ 1,614.8 million.