By Katherine Stanley
Tico Times Staff

As the results from the municipal elections continued to trickle in yesterday, it became increasingly clear that Sunday was a very good day for the National Liberation Party (PLN) and a bad day for voter turnout.

The green-and-white party, which started the year by winning the presidency, as well as more legislative seats than any other party, in February’s national elections, continued its sweep by winning

58 of the 81 mayoral seats, according to preliminary counts at polling stations. At press time, 4,686 stations had reported their rates, with 166 to go.

The official manual count begins today and will take approximately two weeks, Supreme Elections Tribunal (TSE) spokesman Cedric Solano told The Tico Times.

Approximately 24% of eligible Ticos turned out to vote, which represents a 1% increase from the 2002 municipal elections.

Those who turned out cast their votes for a significant change in the political makeup of the country’s mayors, reflecting national trends. The Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), which dominated the municipal scene from 2002-2006 with 48 mayoral seats, retained only 11, while Liberation shot up from 27 to 58.

The Citizen Action Party (PAC) won four seats, the Libertarian Movement won one, and the National Union Party (PUN) won two. The Union for Change party, which was unsuccessful in its presidential and legislative bids in February, won the Montes de Oca race, with former Labor Minister Fernando Trejos taking over the eastern San José suburb. Rounding out the results were four local parties.

Leading the Liberation charge was San José Mayor Johnny Araya, who, despite corruption allegations, won a second term by a landslide; at press time, the vote count showed him with 69.03%.

Solano said the results of the manual count are likely to be very similar to the preliminary results.

Voters also elected other municipal and district officials, filling more than 4,000 positions; the new officials take office Feb. 5.

*Preliminary results with 4,686 polling stations counted and 166 still to be counted. Listed in order released.