• Costa Rica's general election sees Laura Fernandez leading with over 40% support.
• The ruling party aims to continue strict security policies amidst rising violence.
• Over 20 candidates are competing for the presidency as voter turnout is highly anticipated.

Costa Rica has opened polls for a general election, where approximately 3.7 million eligible voters will decide the next president and elect members to the Legislative Assembly. Polling stations opened at 6 a.m. local time and will remain open until 6 p.m. According to aa, citizens living abroad can also participate in the elections, with over 67,000 registered to vote at 49 consulates worldwide.

Leading in the polls is Laura Fernandez, the candidate from the ruling Sovereign People’s Party and protégé of President Rodrigo Chaves Robles, who has garnered more than 40% of voter support. Recent polls suggest Fernandez is positioned to avoid a runoff if she achieves the required 40% threshold. She has promised to continue the current administration's tough security policies amid escalating drug-related violence, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Fernandez’s closest competitors are Alvaro Roberto Ramos from the National Liberation Party and Claudia Dobles from the Citizen Agenda Coalition, both polling below 10%. While Ramos promotes a focus on social democratic policies, Dobles emphasizes environmental and human rights issues. Polling indicates that a significant portion of voters, especially those aged 18-34, remain undecided, highlighting a wave of discontent with past government promises, according to aa and Reuters.

The election occurs against a backdrop of rising violence, with Costa Rica experiencing significant challenges from organized crime and drug trafficking. According to the Judicial Investigation Agency, the country recorded an alarming rise in homicides related to drug violence, pushing this election's security policies to the forefront. Fernandez has echoed the need for a strong government response in her campaign, arguing for continuity with the Chaves administration’s policies, according to Al Jazeera and aa.