At the moment, only three municipalities have already decided to prohibit liquor sales on February 4th, during the national elections. The cantons that will apply Ley Seca are Dota, Cartago and Alvarado.
The National Union of Local Governments (UNGL) conducted a survey on January 26th to identify which municipalities will take the measure. The organization reported that 35 municipalities will not apply it and 44 have not yet made a decision.
Nicoya, Puntarenas, Alajuela, Upala, Athens, Carrillo, San Carlos, Mora, Buenos Aires, San Ramón, Cañas, Puriscal, Acosta, Turrubares, Pérez Zeledón, León Cortés, Esparza and La Cruz will allow liquor sales.
In addition, there will be no prohibition in San Mateo, Orotina, Montes de Oro, Montes de Oca, Siquirres, La Union, Quepos, Santa Bárbara, Vásquez de Coronado, Guatuso, Poás, Jiménez, Moravia, San Rafael, San José, Belén and Barva. At least for now.
According to the reform of the Electoral Code and the Law of Regulation and Commercialization of Beverages with alcohol content, allowing the sale of liquors is the exclusive power of each Municipal Council. This was reformulated in 2012, to strengthen the autonomy of local governments.
In the event that the Councils do not make an express decision, the prohibition does not automatically apply.
Local governments can apply sanctions to businesses that do not comply with the ban. The consequence may be the closure of the business and a fine of one to three base salaries.