One Vote Can Decide The
Future of the TLC
The Tribunal Supremo de
Elecciones (TSE)
announced Friday the
definitive numbers for
the referendum on the
Tratado de Libre
Comercio (TLC0 - trade
deal with the United
States.
On October 7th,
2.654.627 Costa Ricans
are eligible to cast
their votes.
For the referendum to be
binding, at least
1.601.851 votes have to
be cast to make up the
required 40%. One vote
short and the TLC goes
back to the Legislative
Assembly, where it has
been stalled since last
year, and the decision
will then be up to the
legislators and not the
public.
Of the total votes, the
TSE breaks down the
numbers to 1.328.606 men
and 1.327.021 women.
On referendum day there
will be 4.700 voting
booths in all parts of
the country
The future of the TLC is
in the hands of the
voters. One vote can
make the difference,
defining the future of
the trade deal either
way.
Supporters of both the "Si"
and "No" are sure they
will win the vote. Given
the high absenteeism
shown in last Decembers
municipal elections when
only 23% of the voters
elected their municipal
officials, the 40%
requirements represents
a challenge for both
groups.
The president of the
TLC, magistrate Luis
Antonio Sobrado, feels
sure that voters will be
out in great numbers
given the importance of
the TLC on Costa Rican
society and the
awareness that has been
awakened in most Costa
Ricans. |
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