The upcoming election stands out for the unusually high number of candidates. More than thirty contenders have registered to run, making it one of the most crowded presidential races in the country’s history . This reflects a highly fragmented political landscape, where parties are divided, and new political movements continue to emerge without clear dominance.

For many voters, the wide range of options has not necessarily translated into enthusiasm. Instead, it has contributed to confusion and scepticism, with a large portion of the electorate still undecided. Analysts suggest that this reflects a broader sense of disillusionment, as citizens struggle to identify candidates who can effectively address the country’s ongoing challenges.

The campaign itself has been marked by a limited focus on detailed policy proposals. While candidates have put forward a variety of ideas, critics argue that there has been little in-depth debate on key issues such as public security , corruption, and economic inequality. As a result, the election has often been characterised more by personalities than by clear political programmes.

Despite the political turmoil, Peru’s economy has remained relatively stable compared to other countries in the region. However, experts warn that continued instability could eventually affect investor confidence and economic performance, especially if the next government struggles to maintain consistent policies.

With no clear frontrunner likely to secure an outright majority, a second-round runoff appears almost certain. This means that alliances and voter mobilisation will play a crucial role in determining the final outcome. As election day approaches, Peru faces a critical moment that could either stabilise its political system or prolong a cycle of uncertainty.

This concludes our live coverage of Costa Rica’s general election, a closely watched vote shaped by concerns over security, political fragmentation and institutional trust. Follow Global South World for continued updates as results are finalised and the country moves into the next phase of the electoral process.

01:00 GMT: Vote counting continues across multiple precincts as ballots are tallied.

00:00 GMT: Polls close across Costa Rica, marking the end of voting in a closely watched presidential and legislative election as the vote count begins.

22:40 GMT: Polling stations reported heavy turnout as ballot boxes filled up with only hours left before voting closed.

20:45 GMT: Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves cast his ballot as voting continued nationwide.

20:32 GMT: Children take part in a symbolic election at the Children's Museum during Costa Rica's general election day in San Jose.

20:15 GMT: Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal said voting was proceeding normally, adding there were no reports of violence at polling stations so far.

19:00 GMT: Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves was seen surrounded by supporters of the Sovereign People’s Party, reacting with gestures amid cheers and boos, in a moment captured on video.

17:35 GMT: The election observation mission deployed across designated monitoring routes nationwide as voting continued.

17:10 GMT: Presidential candidate Álvaro Ramos of the National Liberation Party (PLN) casts his ballot during Costa Rica’s general election.

16:30 GMT: Ariel Robles, presidential candidate of the Broad Front (Frente Amplio), cast his vote in Pérez Zeledón and is moving toward Cartago.

15:50 GMT: Claudia Dobles, presidential candidate of the Citizen Agenda Coalition (CAC), cast her vote and urged Costa Ricans to go out early and participate in the democratic process, saying the future of the country is in their hands. She also noted early reports from voting stations in Australia showed her winning at some polls there.

15:20 GMT: José Aguilar Berrocal, presidential candidate for the Avanza Costa Rica Party, cast his vote and said his campaign had been a success, urging voters to back unity, change, and support for entrepreneurs while rejecting higher taxes and bureaucracy.

14:50 GMT: Former Costa Rican president José María Figueres cast his vote and spoke about national unity in defending the country’s democracy.

13:40 GMT: Costa Rican presidential candidate Laura Fernández called on voters to back the country’s “project of change”.

13:30 GMT: Presidential candidate Laura Fernández of the Sovereign People’s Party (PPSO) casts her vote at a polling station.

12:00 GMT: Voting begins across Costa Rica

The voting process is set to run for 12 hours on election day, with polls expected to open at 6 AM local time (12 PM GMT) and close at 6 PM local time (12 AM GMT).

What to know

On February 1, Costa Rica holds its general election where voters choose a new president, two vice-presidents and all 57 members of the Legislative Assembly. If no presidential candidate wins at least 40 % of the vote in the first round, a runoff is expected on 5 April 2026. Voting is voluntary, but turnout has traditionally been high compared with regional averages. Eligible voting age is 18 and above.

The election comes amid rising public concern over security, driven by increases in homicide rates and organised crime, issues once rare in what’s been seen as one of Latin America’s most stable democracies. Security, economic pressures, and confidence in political institutions are central themes shaping voter attitudes.

The political landscape is highly fragmented. Around 20 presidential candidates compete, but only a few gain significant traction, leaving a large share of undecided voters and making outcomes uncertain.

Front-running candidates & proposals

According to the country’s constitution, voting is defined as a “ compulsory civic function .” However, there are no legal penalties for individuals who choose not to participate in the electoral process.

More than 3.7 million Costa Ricans are eligible to vote. Despite this, public sentiment toward the election appears muted. A poll conducted on January 21 by the University of Costa Rica’s Centre for Political Research and Studies (CIEP) reported that nearly 79% of respondents felt little or no enthusiasm about the campaigns.

However, the same survey revealed a more nuanced outlook on voter participation. Over 57% of those surveyed indicated they were motivated to vote, while 19.5% expressed no desire to participate.

The most recent CIEP poll, released on January 28, shows that 43.8% of respondents intend to vote for Fernandez. This level of support could allow him to secure a first-round victory, avoiding a runoff. Such outcomes are rare in Costa Rica’s recent electoral history.

Ramos ranks second in the poll with 9.2% support, followed by Dobles at 8.6%. Robles is in fourth place with 3.8%. Meanwhile, the percentage of undecided voters stands at approximately 26%, a decrease from 32% the previous week.

Although Fernandez leads by a significant margin, political analysts note that upsets remain possible due to the high number of undecided voters and the weakening of traditional political alliances. In 2022, Chaves won the presidency despite having only 7% support in pre-election polling.

Political climate & stakes

Costa Rica’s fragmented political options and high levels of voter indecision reflect broader scepticism toward traditional parties and political leadership, as well as frustration over persistent economic pressures and rising insecurity. Campaign debates have been dominated by security policy, including controversial proposals such as expanding prison capacity, strengthening police powers and tightening criminal controls, measures that have also raised concerns about civil liberties and institutional balance.

Institutionally, the election will test Costa Rica’s consensus-oriented democratic model. With no party expected to secure a legislative majority, the next president is likely to face a fragmented Legislative Assembly, potentially limiting the government’s ability to pass reforms without broad cross-party negotiation. As a result, the composition of parliament and post-election alliances are expected to be as consequential as the presidential outcome itself.

Crime remains a major concern for many voters, as criminal groups compete for control over key cocaine trafficking routes to Europe and the United States. This growing violence has cast a shadow over the Central American country, long known for its appeal as a wildlife tourism destination.

The campaign focused largely on President Chaves, a controversial leader who is ineligible for re-election due to constitutional limits on consecutive terms.

The 2022 election marked a turning point in Costa Rican politics. Chaves, an economist and former World Bank official who left the institution following sexual harassment allegations, won the presidency after tapping into public frustration with corrupt political elites.

Since taking office, Chaves has sought to boost the economy with mixed results, while often clashing with political institutions. His leadership style has been marked by a rejection of established norms and an abrasive tone.

Legal attempts to prosecute Chaves on corruption and election interference charges were blocked by Congress, preserving his presidential immunity. Fernández has stated she would appoint Chaves to her cabinet if elected, which would allow him to maintain immunity beyond his term.

Traditional political parties have faced difficulties in reshaping their platforms. Despite a rise in organised crime and violence during his presidency, Chaves maintains an approval rating of around 50%.

Costa Rica, once considered one of the region’s safest countries, now reports a homicide rate of 16.7 per 100,000 people – the third highest in Central America. Last year, authorities dismantled the so-called South Caribbean Cartel, Costa Rica’s first identified transnational crime group, and arrested a former security minister on U.S. drug trafficking charges.

In response to the violence, Chaves has referenced the security policies of El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. He invited Bukele to attend the inauguration of a new prison modelled after El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Centre.

Fernández’s platform emphasises continuity of President Rodrigo Chaves’s policies, including a tough stance on organised crime, bolstering national security and justice systems, and measures to attract foreign investment and modernise infrastructure. She has proposed stronger territorial control, support for the extradition of serious criminals, and improvements to logistics and public spending efficiency.

Alongside Fernández, Álvaro Ramos represents the National Liberation Party (PLN), one of Costa Rica’s traditional parties. An economist and experienced public administrator, Ramos has pitched his campaign around security reform and public services. His proposals include a “smart-security nerve centre” using technology to prevent crime, the recruitment of additional police officers, and initiatives to strengthen the healthcare and social security system, including community mental health centres. Ramos also seeks to modernise the legal framework to support public-private partnerships and sustainable economic activities.

On the centre‑left and progressive side, Ariel Robles of the Broad Front (Frente Amplio) focuses on equity, justice and social solidarity. His platform highlights policies to reduce inequality, expand access to quality education, and promote environmental sustainability integrated with urban and rural development. Robles seeks to mobilise voters looking for structural change and greater social protections.

Former first lady Claudia Dobles, of the Citizen Agenda Coalition (CAC), has also been a visible candidate, proposing increased education spending, technological modernisation of schools, and a National Police task force to bolster public security alongside cultural and community initiatives.

While Laura Fernández currently leads in polls and could secure a first‑round victory if she surpasses the required vote share, a large undecided bloc of voters remains, leaving the race open and unpredictable. Analysts note that fragmented support among opposition candidates and high levels of voter uncertainty could influence whether an outright win is possible or whether a runoff on 5 April will be needed.

The leader of the right-wing party Fuerza Popular made the declaration just days after Peru’s Constitutional Court dismissed a long-standing money laundering case against her, which stemmed from allegations of illegal campaign donations from Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht. The ruling effectively cleared a major legal obstacle that had shadowed her political career for nearly a decade.

“Here, surrounded by my family and joined by Peruvians following us from across the country, I have decided to run for president of the Republic,” Fujimori said from the stage, as footage broadcast by local media showed her dancing and celebrating with supporters.

Fujimori, daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, who remains a polarising figure in Peruvian politics, said her campaign will focus on tackling rising violence and restoring stability. She also ruled out seeking a Senate seat, emphasising her goal to “rescue Peru from violence” and rebuild public trust in government institutions.

“Today, the state does not properly fulfil the function that citizens expect,” Kast said, criticising the steady increase in public employees without a corresponding improvement in services. He argued that “plans and programmes expand, but that does not always match the quality of the service people receive.”

Kast, who represents the Republican Party and is seeking the presidency for the second time after losing to Gabriel Boric in 2021, proposed creating a unified registry of public servants to identify individuals “in positions they shouldn’t occupy.” He said that if elected, he would reduce the state workforce, which he described as “inflated” at around 1.2 million employees.

The 59-year-old candidate trails Communist Party contender Jeannette Jara in recent polls but is betting on a campaign focused on government accountability and fiscal discipline. His new plan aims to curb what he calls a culture of political patronage in Chile’s bureaucracy, a long-standing criticism across party lines.

Chile’s presidential elections will take place on 16 November. If no candidate secures more than 50 per cent of the vote, a runoff is scheduled for 14 December. As campaigning intensifies, Kast’s message of efficiency and anti-corruption is positioning him as the leading voice of the conservative opposition.

Although Tarcísio included the trip to Brasília in his official schedule, he made no mention of the meeting with Bolsonaro. According to Brazilian media , discussions centred on the 2026 candidacy to succeed Bolsonaro, as well as a proposed bill in Congress that would reduce sentences for those convicted over the attempted coup.

A month ago, Tarcísio was considered a strong contender for the presidency, backed by centrist leaders. However, his chances now appear to be shifting towards seeking re-election in São Paulo, particularly as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva may put forward his vice-president, Geraldo Alckmin, a three-time governor of the state.

For some, delaying until 2030 could open a path for the right to regain power in a post-Lula scenario. Tarcísio is viewed favourably by business circles and centrist blocs, but loyalists within the Bolsonaro movement remain sceptical, questioning whether he is radical enough and noting that he has not pledged to pardon Bolsonaro.

Meanwhile, the Bolsonaro family is weighing its own options. Former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro has signalled she could run with the family’s full backing, while Eduardo Bolsonaro, currently based in the United States , positions himself as a representative of the movement’s hard-line wing, despite polling poorly.

Fertility rate — the average number of children a woman is expected to have over her lifetime — must be about 2.1 births per woman to maintain population size without immigration.

New data reveal vast swaths of Europe, East Asia, and the Americas have rates far below this replacement threshold, while much of Sub-Saharan Africa has women having four, five, or even six children on average.

Globally, fertility has more than halved since the 1950s, when the average woman had around five children. Today, the global average is about 2.3, according to the UN’s World Population Prospects.

Even Latin America, which once had some of the world’s highest fertility rates, is now approaching sub-replacement levels. The United States sits around 1.6 , well below replacement, and countries such as South Korea, Singapore, and Italy have dropped even lower, in some cases near or below 1.1 children per woman.

The implications are profound. Populations in countries with sustained low fertility begin to shrink, workforces contract, and the share of elderly citizens rises, putting pressure on pensions, healthcare systems, and economic growth. Italy reported just 370,000 births in 2024, the lowest in its history, leaving its fertility rate around 1.18.

Greece recently announced a €1.6 billion family support package in an effort to reverse its decline, warning that its population could fall below 8 million by 2050 if trends continue. Meanwhile, India, the world’s most populous country, has crossed a historic threshold, with its fertility rate now at 1.9, below replacement for the first time.

According to data compiled by 24/7 Wall St. from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps programme, a joint project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, more than one in four adults in these counties drink excessively far above the national average of fewer than one in five.

Digging deeper, 41 of these top 50 “drunkest” counties are in Wisconsin, making the Badger State by far the most concentrated region on the list.

Even outside public perception of Wisconsin as “ America ’s beer capital,” the data shows this trend extends well beyond social stereotypes; Outagamie County, home to Appleton, ranks number 1, where about 31% of adults report binge or heavy drinking.

In a broader metro-area analysis, 7 of the 10 drunkest U.S. cities, including Appleton, Green Bay, and Madison are located in Wisconsin.

Why it matters

1. Health risks soar.

Excessive alcohol use is a major preventable risk factor your health—linked to chronic illnesses like liver disease, cancer, heart disease, and mental-health issues, alongside accidents and impaired driving.

2. Wisconsin leads—and that spotlight demands awareness.

While the state appears on top in statistics, it also raises questions about cultural norms, access to treatment, and alcohol policies across the region.

3. Geography plays a role.

The regional clustering suggests local customs, social environments, and even economic factors influence drinking behaviors.

This stems from the late arrival of ballot papers. Initially printed in Port Moresby, the final shipment of ballots was delayed until September 2, well past the original August 23 delivery date.

This compressed timeframe left insufficient margin for packing and distributing the materials for polling on 4 September.

Additionally, quality control concerns emerged regarding the serial numbers printed on the ballots, an essential safeguard against fraud , and prompted officials to take corrective measures before proceeding.

Electoral Commissioner Desmond Tsianai emphasised that the decision was not taken lightly but deemed necessary to uphold a fair and transparent process.

“Every eligible voter should have the opportunity to cast their ballots. Rescheduling polling at this stage is the most responsible decision to ensure that all ballot papers are delivered securely so that all Bougainvilleans can vote on the same day. This step protects the rights of voters and upholds the integrity of the election,” Commissioner Tsianai said.

The Atolls constituency remains an exception, as its ballots were already on track for delivery in time, and hence its polling proceeds as planned on Thursday.

Global South World reported that this year’s general election marks the first-ever one-day polling model for Bougainville. With 46 seats in the House of Representatives up for grabs—including newly added constituencies—and a competitive presidential race, the region is poised for a crucial junction in its political journey.

Over 404 candidates are vying for parliamentary seats, including a record 34 women across both reserved and open-competition seats, while the presidential contest features seven candidates challenging incumbent Ishmael Toroama.

On Friday, 5 September, polling stations across the Autonomous Region will open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Bougainville Standard Time. With over 3,000 electoral staff mobilised to ensure smooth operations, the election is expected to proceed with minimal disruption.