Costa Rica (AFP) – Official in Costa Rica begin tallying votes after polling stations closed in the first round of the presidential election. Laura Fernandez, the ruling party candidate, is the runaway favorite to become the next leader of a country long seen as a beacon of stability in a volatile region, but now battling a crime wave. Vote counting begins after 12 hours of voting for one of 20 presidential candidates and 57 members of the Legislative Assembly. IMAGES
