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Chile Enters Election Blackout as Jara Leads Before First Mandatory Vote

Mandatory turnout adds uncertainty to poll-based forecasts of a likely Dec. 14 runoff.

Overview

  • Campaigns ended and the electoral blackout took effect Friday, three days before the Nov. 16 presidential and parliamentary vote.
  • For the first time voting is compulsory for roughly 15.6–15.7 million eligible citizens, with fines of 0.5–1.5 UTM for unjustified absence.
  • Polls place Jeannette Jara in first place in the high 20s, with José Antonio Kast, Johannes Kaiser and Evelyn Matthei vying for a runoff spot.
  • Surveys and media analyses suggest no candidate will surpass 50% of valid votes, making a Dec. 14 second round probable.
  • Security and irregular migration dominate the agenda, and undocumented migrants report fear of detention or expulsion under right‑wing proposals.