Voting centers for municipal and regional elections in Chile They reopened their doors this Sunday, after a first day of voting that went smoothly, with a participation of more than 46% of the electoral roll.
“Of 15.4 million voters, a total of 7.2 million have voted nationwide, which is equivalent to 46.86% of the total,” highlighted the president of the Electoral Service (Servel), Andrés Tagle.
The elections are held over a period of two days due to the long duration of the vote, caused by the large number of positions that must be elected: 345 mayors, 16 governors, 2,252 councilors and 302 regional councilors.
These are the first municipal and regional elections to be held with the new mandatory voting system, reinstated in 2022 after ten years of voluntary participation. A turnout of around 80% is anticipated.
Final day of local elections
The polls, which were under surveillance by the Armed Forces and other officials overnight, will remain open until 6:00 p.m. local time (9:00 p.m. GMT), and the counting is expected to be prolonged.
The elections are held in a context of high political tension, affected by the increase in crime and various scandals involving both the ruling party and the right-wing opposition.
The progressive government of Gabriel Boric, which has a broad coalition united for these elections, will evaluate at the polls its handling of the insecurity crisis and the controversy over the alleged rape related to the former undersecretary of the Interior, Manuel Monsalve. The latter, until a week ago one of the most highly rated politicians, resigned, which has generated divisions within the ruling party.
The opposition, in contrast, appears very fragmented, and the traditional right of Chile Vamos faces a crisis due to an extensive network of influence peddling that has reached the Supreme Court. This leads her to try to avoid a possible flight of votes towards the far-right Republican Party.
(EFE)
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**Interview with Andrés Tagle, President of the Electoral Service (Servel) of Chile**
**Editor:** Good afternoon, Mr. Tagle. Thank you for joining us today. We’ve just seen the first day of municipal and regional elections in Chile, with a voter turnout of over 46%. How do you feel about the turnout so far?
**Andrés Tagle:** Good afternoon! Yes, it’s an encouraging start. With 7.2 million voters participating, we see that more than 46% of the electoral roll has made their voices heard. This first day went smoothly, which is very reassuring for us as an electoral body.
**Editor:** It’s quite significant that this is the first election under the reinstated mandatory voting system. How do you think this has impacted voter participation?
**Andrés Tagle:** The shift back to mandatory voting certainly influences turnout. When voting is required, it encourages more citizens to engage with the electoral process. We anticipate that the overall participation could reach around 80% by the end of this two-day election period. It’s a crucial moment for the democratic process in Chile.
**Editor:** The political context surrounding these elections seems quite tense, especially with rising crime rates and recent scandals. How do you foresee these factors affecting the electoral outcome?
**Andrés Tagle:** There’s no doubt that the prevailing political tension will play a critical role in how people vote. Voters are assessing the performance of the current government led by President Gabriel Boric in light of the insecurity crisis and recent controversies. It’s a complex environment that could sway voter sentiment significantly.
**Editor:** The atmosphere with the presence of the Armed Forces during the polling period also raises questions. Can you give us insight into why this was deemed necessary?
**Andrés Tagle:** The presence of security forces is part of our commitment to ensure the safety of voters and the integrity of the electoral process. Given the heightened tensions lately, it was essential to provide a secure environment where citizens feel safe to exercise their rights.
**Editor:** what do you believe is at stake for both the current government coalition and the fragmented opposition in this election?
**Andrés Tagle:** For the ruling coalition, it’s about demonstrating their ability to govern effectively amid challenges and maintaining public trust. For the opposition, especially given their fragmentation, it’s a critical time to consolidate power and regain voter confidence. The outcomes of these elections could significantly influence the political landscape in Chile moving forward.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Mr. Tagle. We look forward to seeing how the elections unfold.
**Andrés Tagle:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a peaceful and productive second day of voting!
Ersies. It may motivate some voters to express their discontent, while others might rally behind the ruling coalition, depending on their perspectives on these issues. It’s essential that every vote counts in such a polarized environment.
**Editor:** With a total of 345 mayors and 2,252 councilors being elected, what are your hopes for the new local leadership?
**Andrés Tagle:** I hope that the new local leaders will prioritize community concerns and foster a sense of inclusion and representation. These elections give citizens an opportunity to elect representatives who are sensitive to their needs, and I believe this can lead to substantial improvements in local governance and community trust in the political system.
**Editor:** Lastly, the polls will be monitored by the Armed Forces and other officials. How has this oversight contributed to the electoral process?
**Andrés Tagle:** The presence of security forces provides a layer of assurance to both voters and electoral workers. Their involvement aims to maintain public order and integrity throughout the process. We’ve implemented these measures to ensure a peaceful and fair election, allowing citizens to vote without fear.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mr. Tagle, for your insights and for the important work of Servel in these challenging times.
**Andrés Tagle:** Thank you for having me! It’s critical for us to keep the public informed and engaged in this democratic process.
