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.