Incumbent party candidate likely to win Costa Rica presidential race

Vote counting and celebrations began after polls closed in Costa Rica's presidential election on Sunday.

Preliminary and partial results showed conservative populist Laura Fernandez, the successor of President Rodrigo Chaves, was likely to win.

With votes from 88.4 percent of polling places tallied, Fernandez had 48.5 percent of the vote.

Her closest challenger was economist Alvaro Ramos of the National Liberation Party with 33.3 percent.

Ramos conceded Sunday night, and pledged to lead a constructive opposition.