New Delhi, Dec. 17 -- Costa Rica's legislature on Tuesday blocked an effort by the country's electoral authority to make President Rodrigo Chaves face charges that he has been using his power to meddle in upcoming elections.

The legislature rejected a request by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to strip Chaves of protections that shield sitting presidents from prosecution.

The tribunal is seeking to prosecute him on accusations that Chaves repeatedly violated a Costa Rican law baring the president from commenting on elections or expressing support for any political group, including his own party.

Chaves denied any wrongdoing ahead of the Central American nation's February elections and says he is the victim of a politically motivated pro...