Central American politics could see a historic surge to the left in elections on Sunday.<br /><br />Among the favourites in Costa Rica is environmentalist José Maria Villalta of the Broad Front Party.<br /><br />He will go up against former San José Mayor Johnny Araya from the governing National Liberation Party.<br /><br />But the election outcome is far from certain, with one right-wing candidate – Otto Guevara – and one from the centre-left – Luis Guillermo Solis – following close behind in the polls.<br /><br />El Salvador will also vote on Sunday, in another Central American presidential election that is too close to call.<br /><br />Vice President Salvador Sanchez Cerén of the governing left-wing FMLN leads the polls.<br /><br />Former San Salvador mayor Norman Quijano of the rightist Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) is currently in second.<br /><br />Candidates need to gain a minimum of 50 percent of the vote in El Salvador and 40 percent in Costa Rica to win outright and avoid a second round of votes.
