The latest on the presidential election in Costa Rica (all times local):

10:40 p.m.

Opposition candidate Antonio Alvarez has conceded defeat in Costa Rica's presidential election and is congratulating two rivals who are poised to face each other in a runoff.

Alvarez is the candidate of the National Liberation Party. He said Sunday night that he is "the person responsible for the electoral result."

With nearly 81 percent of ballots counted, evangelical candidate Fabricio Alvarado has 24.8 percent and governing party loyalist Carlos Alvarado has 21.6 percent. The two are not related.

Costa Rican election rules say that if no candidate tops 40 percent, the first two finishers advance to a runoff. That would take place April 1.

___

9:30 p.m.

Evangelical candidate Fabricio Alvarado continues to hold a lead in Costa Rica's presidential election but seems headed for a runoff two months from now.

With about 58 percent of the ballots counted Sunday night, Alvarado is winning some 25.6 percent of the vote, followed by two rivals in a close race for second.

Carlos Alvarado of the governing Citizens' Action Party has 20.6 percent, and agri-businessman Antonio Alvarez of the National Liberation Party has 19.2 percent.

If no one in the 13-candidate field finishes above 40 percent, the first two finishers advance to a second round of voting scheduled for April 1.

___

8:45 p.m.

Early returns from Costa Rica's presidential election put evangelical candidate Fabricio Alvarado in the lead but falling well short of what he would need to avoid a runoff.

With about 12 percent of returns counted Sunday night, Alvarado has 26.7 percent of the vote.

He is followed by agri-businessman Antonio Alvarez of the National Liberation Party with 22.6 percent.

Carlos Alvarado of the governing Citizens' Action Party is in third with 16.1 percent, and Rodolfo Piza of the Christian Social Unity is next with 15.4 percent.

If no one in the 13-candidate field tops 40 percent, the first two finishers will advance to an April 1 runoff.