1844 Costa Rican Head of State election explained

Country:Costa Rica
Flag Image:Flag of Costa Rica (1842-1848).svg
Type:presidential
Previous Election:1837 Costa Rican Head of State election
Previous Year:1837
Next Election:1847 Costa Rican Head of State election
Next Year:1847
Election Date:2–4 June 1844
Image1:Francisco María Oreamuno Bonilla.JPG
Nominee1:Francisco María Oreamuno Bonilla
Popular Vote1:1,541
Percentage1:67.62%
Nominee2:José María Alfaro Zamora
Popular Vote2:486
Percentage2:21.33%
Head of State
Before Election:José María Alfaro Zamora
Before Party:Liberal (Costa Rica)
After Election:Francisco María Oreamuno Bonilla
After Party:Liberal (Costa Rica)

Head of State elections were held in Costa Rica in 1844. They were the first in which direct suffrage was used to elect the Head of State, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of 9 April 1844. Direct election was abolished by the next election, with presidential elections returning to indirect suffrage until 1913.[1]

The candidacy of Oreamuno triumphed unanimously at the polling stations of Bagaces, Boruca, West Cartago, South Cartago, Cot, Guanacaste, La Union, Orosí, Paraiso, Quircot, San Pablo de Heredia, Santa Cruz, Térraba, Tobosi and Tucurrique, and won comfortable victories in Cartago center, Curridabat, Desamparados, Heredia center, San José north and San José south. Alfaro won at the polls of West Alajuela, East Alajuela, Atenas, Barva, Cañas, Esparza and Puntarenas, Nicoya and San Juan del Murciélago. Mora triumphed in Escazú and Pacaca, and Blanco in Aserrí. None of the other candidates won in any polling area.

On 15 November 1844 the legislative chambers declared Francisco María Oreamuno Bonilla elected as Head of State for the 1844–1848 period. Oreamuno took possession on 29 November.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones de Costa Rica . Historia de las elecciones presidenciales 1824–2014 . 2017 .