Q COSTARICA — Costa Rica’s elections tribunal, Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones (TSE), reiterated the prohibition against bringing pets into polling places for the February 1 elections.
The decision is based on the guidelines of the Regulations for the Exercise of Suffrage in National Elections, Decree No. 13-2025, specifically, Article 35, section c), which establishes the restriction on bringing animals into the voting room or other polling place where the ballot boxes are located.
One exception to the rule is a service dog, which is a working animal that has been trained to perform tasks that assist disabled people. For an emotional support animal, prior registration with the Junta Receptora de Votos (JRV) — Polling Station Board — is required.
“In these cases, the members of the Polling Station Boards (JRV), in collaboration with the National Corps of Delegates, will be responsible for ensuring the strict application of this provision,” the TSE stated.
The TSE determined that the presence of animals in polling places could compromise the safety of those participating in the process.
It also addressed the risks to the integrity of the electoral materials and the orderly conduct of the civic day.
On February 1, 2026, Costa Rica will elect its next President and two Vice Presidents, as well as the 57 new members of Congress.
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