OAS Hears Reports on Costa Rica Elections
The Organization of American States (OAS) team that monitored Costa Rica's recent general elections today hailed the peaceful and normal way in which the process unfolded.

The Chief of the Electoral Observation Mission, Ambassador Paul Durand of Canada, told the Permanent Council that "this is to the credit of Costa Rica, its political systems as well as its institutions that are functioning normally, bolstered by the confidence of the Costa Rican people despite the crises of the last few months."

In his oral report, Durand praised the role of the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE) in putting in place the infrastructure for the process that culminated in presidential elections on February 5.

In his report to the OAS Permanent Council, Durand lauded the process surrounding the Costa Rican election, noting that "citizens of different political stripes and social levels peacefully gathered together to vote and enjoy the festive atmosphere."

Responding to the report to the Permanent Council session, chaired by Saint Lucia's Ambassador Sonia Johnny, the Alternate Representative of Costa Rica to the OAS, Ambassador Luis Guardia, said the Electoral Observation Mission witnessed  "an exemplary, fair and transparent exercise.: