The race has predictably tightened since the run-off that featured the elimination of two leftist candidates, notably Marco Enriquez Ominami, who was more bust than Barack. Still, voter registration is extremely low in Chile due to punitive fines that are assessed on those registered who do not vote. Only 9.2% of Chileans between the ages of 18-29 are registered. Polls close unusually early, starting at 2:30pm, so results should be available soon.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Chile Votes: Out with the old in with the...?
The sleepy run-off between two sexagenarians has failed to elicit much interest. There are fewer signs in the street and polite applause at campaign events. The center left candidate, Eduardo Frei, was an unpopular former president and the conservative Sebastian Pinera's incredible wealth and ties to the Pinochet regime leave him with little in common with the Chilean people. If Pinera wins, it will be the first time that the Socialist/center-left coalition has lost in the post-Pinochet era.
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