The provincial assemblies of the Christian Social Unity party elected the candidates for legislator for the next election weeks ago. They did so without complying with the gender parity standard imposed by the Supreme Election Tribunal.
That is, the parties must present a formula of 4-3. However, PUSC had a 5-2 ratio, with five men and only two women. This forces the group to make a change so that the TSE does not reject the candidacies.
The national assembly will be held next October 8th and they must define the matter. Until now, there is no clarity on how it will be resolved.
The Secretary General of the party, Pablo Heriberto Abarca, says that one of the criteria to take into account would be the political cost of the change.
It will be necessary to evaluate where the lowest political cost for the party is […] We are looking for the least damage to the party and the provincial structure and leadership… That is my personal criterion,”
said Abarca.
San José, Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste and Puntarenas are the provinces commanded by men. One of those must change and give a woman the first place.
Pedro Muñoz, the president of PUSC, heads the ballot of the capital and Abarca, heads Cartago. In the case of the Secretary-General, he would not be willing to give up.
I was unanimously elected. I am the only candidate elected that way so there the province demands it,”
concluded the Secretary-General.