Evangelical candidate Fabricio Alvarado from the National Restoration Party continues to lead the election race in Costa Rica, according to the latest poll carried out by Opol Consultores.

Opol Consultores worked with a sample of 3300 people in the Costa Rican territory and the survey was carried out between March 12 to the 16; the results in the voters intention show Fabricio Alvarado with a support of 56.9% of the voters while Carlos Alvarado from the Citizens’ Action Party has only 43.1%. Considering the total survey Fabricio is ahead with 36.5% , Carlos with only 27.7%, those who haven’t decided represent 13.6% and a 22.2% said they are not voting.

Fabricio Alvarado, is a 43-year-old religious singer and pre-grad journalist who belongs to the National Restoration Party who shot to prominence after condemning a court ruling that urged Costa Rica to grant civil marriage rights to same-sex couples.

The poll had a margin of error of 1.7 percentage points.

In the past few weeks both presidential candidates have been holding meetings with former presidential candidates; Antonio Alvarez Desanti, former candidate for the National Liberation Party gave his support to Fabricio Alvarado, while Rodolfo Piza who ran for the Social Christian Unity Party backed Carlos Alvarado.

The second round of the presidential elections will take place April 1st.