Supporters of candidates Johnny Araya of the National Liberation Party, and Luis Guillermo Solis of the Citizens' Action Party, celebrate after polls closed in San Jose February 2, 2014. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate
SAN JOSE (Reuters) - Costa Rica's centrist ruling party hopeful Johnny Araya had a strong early lead in Sunday's presidential contest, but could still face a run-off, preliminary election results showed.
Araya, a former mayor of San Jose, had around 36 percent of the vote with 9 percent of polling booths counted, while left-leaning newcomer Luis Guillermo Solis lay in second with 21 percent. Left-wing lawmaker Jose Maria Villalta was in third with 17.4 percent.
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