Costa Rica election: Gay marriage debate dominates campaign

Image copyright

AFP

Voting is under way in Costa Rica's presidential election after a campaign dominated by same-sex marriage.

Last month, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights based in Costa Rica ruled such alliances should be recognised.

The court's decision led to a backlash in the Central American country.

A conservative Christian evangelical preacher who has campaigned against same-sex marriage has become the most popular candidate.

Image copyright

EPA

Image caption

Fabricio Alvarado leads in opinion polls

In recent weeks, preacher Fabricio Alvarado surged to the top of opinion polls, campaigning against same-sex marriage.

In all, 13 candidates are running to replace President Luis Guillermo Solis of the centre-left Citizen's Action Party.

Mr Alvarado represents the right-wing National Restoration Party.

He has gone from also-ran, with just 2% support, to the leading candidate with 17% in a crowded field, according to a poll released on 31 January by the University of Costa Rica.

However, more than a third of the electorate appear to be undecided.

A run-off on 1 April seems certain as no candidate is likely to win the 40% of the vote required to win in the first round.

The other frontrunners are former lawmaker Antonio Alvarez from the centre-right National Liberation Party, former Security and Justice Minister Juan Diego Castro from the National Integration Party, and Rodolfo Piza from the Social Christian Unity Party.

- bbc