Laura Fernandez leads early results in Costa Rica's presidential election

"Right-wing candidate from the governing PPSO leads presidential race with 53.01 percent of the vote, early results show. The right-wing law-and-order candidate, Laura Fernandez, has taken a commanding lead in Costa Rica's presidential election, according to early results. With ballots from 31 percent of polling stations counted, Fernandez, of the governing Sovereign People Party (PPSO), had 53.01 percent of the vote, the results showed on Sunday."

"Alvaro Ramos of the centre-left National Liberation Party was in second with 30.05 percent, while former First Lady Claudia Dobles was in third with 3.9 percent. Fernandez needs at least 40 percent to win the election outright and avoid a run-off on April 5. More soon"

Right-wing law-and-order candidate Laura Fernandez leads Costa Rica's presidential election in early results, holding 53.01 percent of the vote. Ballots from 31 percent of polling stations were counted in the reported returns. Fernandez represents the governing Sovereign People Party (PPSO). Alvaro Ramos of the centre-left National Liberation Party trailed with 30.05 percent. Former First Lady Claudia Dobles stood third with 3.9 percent. Fernandez requires at least 40 percent of the vote to win outright and bypass a run-off. A run-off would be held on April 5 if no candidate reaches the threshold. More updates are expected.

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