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Chile Ends Campaigning Ahead of Nov. 16 Vote as Jara Leads and the Right Eyes Runoff Unity

Security fears are set to drive turnout in the first compulsory presidential vote since Chile's return to democracy.

Overview

  • Campaigns closed Tuesday night with large rallies, as Jeannette Jara drew roughly 15,000–20,000 supporters in Plaza de Maipú and José Antonio Kast staged a combative event at Santiago’s Movistar Arena wearing a bulletproof vest.
  • The last polls published before the legal freeze showed Jara at about 26–30% and Kast around 20–25%, with Evelyn Matthei and libertarian Johannes Kaiser further back but Kaiser rising.
  • Right-of-center contenders have framed the Nov. 16 first round as a de facto conservative primary and signal they will consolidate behind the top finisher for a likely Dec. 14 runoff.
  • Crime and irregular migration dominate the agenda, with Jara touting measures like lifting bank secrecy to target organized crime and boosting wages, while Kast promises a “national emergency” government, tougher border enforcement and a $6 billion fiscal cut in 18 months.
  • Voters will also choose the entire Chamber of Deputies and half the Senate under compulsory voting rules for the presidential race.