At stake in this Referendum:

• National referendum concerning the Dominican Republic Central American Free-Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) with the US.

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Oscar Sanchez ARIAS
• Head of Government: President Oscar Sanchez ARIAS
• Assembly: Costa Rica has a unicameral Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa) with 57 seats.

Main provisions in the Referendum:

• The ratification of the DR-CAFTA trade agreement.

Electoral Requirements

• The referendum requires a simple majority of the vote to be passed. 

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 4,369,465 (2007)
• Registered Voters: 2,550,613 (November 2005)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 2,179,425 (2006)

·         Is Costa Rica a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (17 July 1980)

·         Has Costa Rica ratified CEDAW: Yes (4 April 1986)

·         Gender Quota: Yes

·         Female candidates in this election: No

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 22 (following 2006 elections)

·         Human Development Index Position: 69 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Low (2014)

Disability Data:

·         Is Costa Rica a signatory to CRPD: Yes (30 March 2007)

·         Has Costa Rica ratified CRPD: Yes (1 October 2008)

·         Population with a disability: 655,419 (est.)