Conservative candidate in Costa Rica seeks Presidential win as polls close

Polls closed on Sunday evening in Costa Rica as voters chose a President and members of the Legislative Assembly, with a leading conservative candidate promising a crackdown on drug trafficking and hoping for a decisive victory.

Counting began after 12 hours of voting for one of 20 presidential contenders, including frontrunner Laura Fernandez, as well as 57 legislators.

Fernandez is aiming to reach the 40 per cent threshold required to win the presidency in the first round and avoid a runoff.