Ex-president takes lead in Costa Rica vote; runoff likely

By JAVIER CÓRDOBA
Associated Press

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — A former Costa Rican president took an early lead in national election in what had been a wide-open field of 25 candidates. José María Figueres, who was the country’s president from 1994 to 1998, had 27.3% of the vote in preliminary results released by the Supreme Elections Tribunal Monday with 80% of the votes counted. Figueres is the candidate for the National Liberation Party. If no candidate captures at least 40% of the vote, a runoff vote will be held April 3 between the top two candidates. Figueres will likely face surprise second-place candidate Rodrigo Chaves in the runoff.