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Chile Sets Election-Day Rules With No Alcohol Ban, Mall Closures, Mandatory Voting

Authorities set mall closures with a mandatory holiday to ensure workers can vote.

Overview

  • Chile holds presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday, November 16, 2025, with polling open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Law No. 21.693, enacted in August 2024, ended the traditional election-day alcohol sales ban, so no nationwide restriction applies.
  • The Labor Directorate ordered shopping centers and strip centers closed from 9:00 p.m. Saturday until at least 6:00 a.m. Monday, and Sunday counts as a mandatory legal holiday for those workplaces.
  • Supermarkets, large stores and independent outlets outside malls may operate if they guarantee employees time to vote.
  • Voting is compulsory, with fines of 0.5–1.5 UTM (about CLP 34,000–104,000) for noncompliance subject to legal exemptions, while voting from abroad remains voluntary.