Costa Rica’s 2026 presidential race officially began Wednesday with the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) issuing its formal call to the polls. Voters will head to the ballot box on February 1, 2026, with 20 presidential hopefuls now cleared to compete.

TSE president Eugenia Zamora presided over the ceremony, calling elections “a tradition of Costa Rican democracy” and noting that only 25 United Nations member states have held at least 18 consecutive electoral processes, as Costa Rica has.

Zamora urged candidates to use the four-month campaign period “to frankly and rigorously put national problems and societal challenges on the table” and to present detailed proposals. She described the campaign as a “work table” where parties should offer blueprints for building “our shared home.”

As required by Costa Rica’s Constitution, President Rodrigo Chaves-Robles formally handed control of the Public Security Forces to the TSE to guarantee security and impartiality throughout the election period.

With the official call, campaign rules now take effect. Government institutions are prohibited from using media, including official social media accounts, to promote Chaves' administration achievements. The president and government officials are also barred from any political campaigning.

On election day, more than 3.7 million registered voters, including about 63,000 Costa Ricans living abroad who can cast ballots at 49 consulates worldwide, will elect the country’s next president along with all 57 members of the Legislative Assembly (Congress) for the 2026–2030 term.

Several candidates have already begun sharing their platforms, mostly through social media. They include:

• Eliécer Feinzaig, Liberal Progresista Party, right-wing political ideology.

• Luz Mary Alpízar, Social Democrático Party, which is the ruling party under President Chaves and right-wing political ideology.

• Álvaro Ramos, Liberación Nacional Party, the country’s oldest political party, founded in 1951, has a right-wing political ideology.

• Claudia Dobles, former First Lady (2018–2022), Coalición Agenda Ciudadana Party, right-wing political ideology.

• Ariel Robles, Frente Amplio Party, left-wing political ideology.

The TSE, an independent public institution, oversees all presidential elections and national referendums in Costa Rica.