Costa Rica's President candidate Antonio Alvarez of the National Liberation Party shows his ballot during the Presidential elections in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Feb. 4, 2018. Costa Rica's President Luis Guillermo Solis on Sunday urged eligible voters to go to the polls to "express the opinion of the citizenry" in the general elections. (Xinhua/Kent Gilbert)
SAN JOSE, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Costa Rica's President Luis Guillermo Solis on Sunday urged eligible voters to go to the polls to "express the opinion of the citizenry" in the general elections.
"Go out and vote," Solis said as he cast his ballot at a local school in downtown San Jose at 7:30 a.m.
Voting "is very important to keeping our civic life vibrant and strong," said Solis, adding "we must express the opinion of the citizenry, whatever it may be."
In addition to a new president, Costa Ricans are voting for two vice presidents and 57 members of the Legislative Assembly.
None of the four leading presidential candidates is expected to garner the minimum 40 percent of the votes needed to win the first round, making an April 1 runoff likely.
In a devoutly Catholic country grappling with the issue of whether or not to legalize same-sex marriage, evangelical pastor Fabricio Alvarado surged ahead in popularity in January with his outspoken stance against the measure.
The other three top candidates are Antonio Alvarez of the National Liberation Party (PLN), Carlos Alvarado of the ruling Citizens' Action Party (PAC) and Juan Diego Castro of the National Integration Party (PIN).
Solis' term ends in May.
