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ARTICLE 3
 

Sources of the election legislation


The following hierarchy is followed by the sources of election legislation:


a) The Political Constitution.


b) International treaties in force in Costa Rica.


c) Election legislations.


d) Regulations, guidelines and communications issued by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE, for its Spanish acronym).


e) Bylaws of duly registered political parties.


f) Other provisions subordinated to the regulations and bylaws of political parties.


Unwritten regulations, such as electoral jurisprudence, the principles of election legislation and custom shall have the rank of the regulation that they interpret, are part of, or define.


Consultative interpretations and opinions from the TSE are binding erga omnes, except for the provisions pursuant to Article 97 of the Political Constitution, and except on the Tribunal itself.


Whenever the Tribunal changes its jurisprudence, consultative opinions or interpretations, it shall do so by means of a duly reasoned decision.