Home > 2.1.3 Jurisdictions > COSTA RICA - Electoral Act
 
 
 
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ARTICLE 13
 

Composition


The TSE shall be ordinarily composed of three presiding justices and six alternate justices appointed by the Supreme Court of Justice and elected by the vote of at least two-thirds of its total members. They shall take the constitutional oath of office before the Supreme Court of Justice. They shall be appointed and deemed to be re-elected for terms of six years, except where a decision to the contrary is taken by the same majority.


When requiring the appointment of someone for a vacant position prior to the expiry of said term, the appointment shall be made for the rest of the term in such a way that the terms in office of one presiding justice and two alternates are renewed every two years, without prejudice to the possibility of their re-election.


The position of TSE member is incompatible with any other position remunerated by the State or other public institution, except teaching in higher education institutions.


One year before and up to six months after holding the general elections for the presidency and vice-presidencies or of members of the Legislative Assembly, the Tribunal must be constituted with its presiding members and two of the alternate members selected by the Supreme Court of Justice to become a five member Tribunal during that time. The same regulations shall apply six months before and up to three months after the municipal elections.


Justices working for the TSE shall be subject to the applicable working conditions and daily minimum working hours indicated by the Structural Law of the Judicial Branch for justices of the Supreme Court of Justice and they shall also receive the same compensations fixed for the latter.