Chile votes in a presidential poll pitting a communist against the far right

In Santiago, Chile, citizens cast their votes on Sunday to elect a new president and parliament in an election that is expected to lean towards the hard right. Candidates are capitalizing on fears surrounding organized crime and immigration.

This is the first round of the presidential elections in Chile, with a runoff likely to take place on Dec. 14 as no candidate is projected to secure over 50% of the votes. This election also marks the first time voting is mandatory in Chile, with automatic voter registration adding an element of unpredictability to the race.

Over 15.7 million people are now required to vote, with fines of up to $100 for those who do not. The election also includes the renewal of the lower house of Congress and part of the Senate.

The election presents Chileans with a stark choice between two extremes: Jeannette Jara, a communist and former labor minister, and José Antonio Kast, an ultraconservative lawyer and father of nine. Both candidates have focused on the issue of public insecurity, reflecting concerns over rising crime and immigration.

The campaign has pushed the front-runners towards a shared theme of public insecurity, with all candidates taking a tough stance on immigration. The influx of immigrants, particularly from Venezuela, has become a significant issue in the election.

The election has also highlighted the country’s economic challenges, with candidates proposing various solutions to address issues such as unemployment and cost of living. The candidates’ approaches range from fiscal restraint to massive spending cuts.

Overall, the election in Chile reflects a shift towards law and order policies, in contrast to the social change promised in the previous election. The outcome of the election is expected to have significant implications for the country’s future direction.