A former Costa Rican president took an early lead in national election in what had been a wide-open field of 25 candidates.

A former Costa Rican president took an early lead in national election in what had been a wide-open field of 25 candidates.

Costa Ricans head into national elections Sunday facing a dizzying array of 25 candidates for president, no dominant issue to drive turnout and nearly one-third of those intending to vote saying they have no clear idea of who their selection will be.

Costa Rica became the latest country to legalize same-sex marriage early Tuesday when a ruling from its supreme court went into effect ending the country's ban. (AP Photo/Carlos Gonzalez)SAN JOSE Costa Rica became the latest country to legalize same-sex marriage early Tuesday when a ruling from its supreme court went into effect ending the country's ban. Theirs was the first legal gay marriage in Costa Rica and it was streamed live on the internet. Costa Rica is the sixth country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage, following most recently Ecuador, which allowed it last year. The Legislative Assembly did not act, so at midnight the law banning same-sex marriage was nullified.