LIVE: Over 15 million vote in mandatory Chile elections amid crime and immigration concerns

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16:10 GMT: Jeannette Jara casts her vote as supporters celebrate outside the polling station.

Jeannette Jara, presidential candidate of the ruling left-wing coalition and member of the Communist Party, has cast her vote, drawing cheers and reactions from supporters gathered outside the polling station during Chile’s general election.

15:54 GMT: Candidate Jeannette Jara arrives to vote, greeted by supporters.

Presidential candidate Jeannette Jara has just arrived at her polling station, accompanied by supporters who gathered to back her as she casts her vote. Her arrival adds to the busy electoral atmosphere as Chile’s voting day continues.

14:50 GMT: Candidate Franco Parisi casts his vote, comments on Chile’s political divide.

After voting, presidential candidate Franco Parisi expressed his view on the election dynamics, stating: “The Communist candidate should be going through, and we to a second round, because of the division. At the last moment, people will realize that the far right harms Chile.” His remarks underline the tension and polarization present in today’s electoral process.

14:40 GMT: Jeannette Jara steps into election day with her dog and a suitcase in hand.

Seen leaving home accompanied by her dog and carrying a small suitcase, Jeannette Jara prepared for a long election day ahead. The moment added a casual, human touch to the political morning, drawing attention as candidates and officials begin to move across the country.

13:40 GMT: Candidate Evelyn Matthei emphasizes her record of cross-party teamwork.

After casting her vote, presidential candidate Evelyn Matthei highlighted her experience working across political lines, noting: “I have a long trajectory of working with all teams. When I was mayor, there were many people from the left with whom we worked very well.” Her message seeks to project cooperation and stability as key pillars of her candidacy.

13:30 GMT: Former President Bachelet urges unity: “May the next government build on all that came before”.

After casting her vote, ex-President Michelle Bachelet called for continuity and collaboration, urging the incoming administration to construct its legacy on the foundations laid by all previous governments. Her message resonates as a plea for unity amid a deeply polarized political environment.

13:10 GMT: Jose Antonio Kast, presidential candidate of the far-right Republican Party, votes in the presidential election.

13:00 GMT: Boric calls on Chileans to shape the country’s future through their vote.

After casting his ballot, President Gabriel Boric reminded voters of the profound meaning of democracy: “It is you, Chilean men and women, who determine the future of Chile. Each of you has the same right to choose, regardless of birthplace, wealth, or political idea — that is the essence of democracy expressed today.”

12:50 GMT: Johannes Kaiser, presidential candidate of the far-right National Libertarian Party, votes in the presidential election.

12:30 GMT: Global South Election Live

12:00 GMT: Boric arrives at the polls accompanied by his daughter

President Gabriel Boric has just shown up to cast his vote, walking into the polling station alongside his daughter — a symbolic moment that underscores both his personal commitment to the democratic process and the familial legacy at stake in today’s election.

11:30 GMT: Early turnout builds as Chileans head to the polls under mandatory voting rules

As voting gets underway across the country, Chileans are already arriving steadily at polling stations, driven in part by the country's mandatory voting system. In Chile's 2025 elections, all Chilean citizens are required to vote or face a financial penalty. The rule is designed to increase participation and ensure results that better reflect the full electorate. Exceptions apply for people who are ill, far from their polling place, abroad, or have a certified disability and foreign residents with voting rights are not subject to mandatory voting.

11:00 GMT: Chile’s polls open as voters begin a decisive day for the country’s political future.

09:35 GMT: What is at stake for Chile’s democracy

The 2025 election will determine whether Chile moves toward a renewed social-democratic model or shifts to a more conservative and security-driven agenda. The outcome will influence major policy debates: the role of the state in pensions and healthcare, the country’s response to inequality, its migration strategy and its long-term energy transition. With economic uncertainty and public dissatisfaction still high, voters are evaluating not only policies but also trust in political institutions.

Chile’s democratic resilience is also being tested. A fragmented Congress will likely force the next president—regardless of ideology—to negotiate complex alliances, raising concerns about governability. The election is therefore not only about leadership but about defining the country’s political direction after years of instability. Whichever candidate wins, they will face the challenge of restoring confidence in institutions and delivering credible reforms in a divided nation.

You can read more about the current state of its democracy here.

November 15, 19:13 GMT: Preparations and inspections are made for the election

Polls are expected to open at 8 am local time (11 am GMT) and close at 6 pm local time (9 pm GMT).

What to know

• Chile votes in the first round on November 16; a December 14 runoff follows if no candidate tops 50%.
• The minimum eligible voting age in Chile is 18.
• Mandatory voting returns; all 155 deputies and 23 of 50 senators are also on the ballot.
• Eight candidates are running; frontrunners include Jeannette Jara (Communist Party member), José Antonio Kast (ultraconservative), and Johannes Kaiser (libertarian).
• Jara, 51, leads major polls and campaigns on domestic production, worker protections, a higher minimum wage, and tougher security (more jails, more police, tighter borders and tech). She has sought distance from the Boric administration and even hinted at suspending her party membership if elected.
• Kast pledges hardline security and immigration curbs (mass removals), spending cuts, and investment incentives; he has opposed abortion rights and same-sex marriage.
• Kaiser pushes free-market reforms, austerity, tougher criminal penalties, and has proposed sending immigrant offenders to El Salvador’s CECOT prison; he and four deputies founded a new libertarian party in 2024.
• Other notable candidates include Franco Parisi (independent) and Evelyn Matthei (centre-right).
• Polling averages (AS/COA): Jara ~25%; Kast ~20%; Kaiser and Parisi ~10–14%; Matthei ~11–14%.
• Crime and immigration top voter concerns; unemployment and health tie for third. Unemployment is ~9%.
• Immigration to Chile rose 46.8% (2018–2024) and 4.5% (2022–2024), fueling policy divides (mass deportations vs. temporary registration).
• Right-wing candidates are expected to consolidate in a runoff; analysts say security fears and dissatisfaction with the Boric government could aid the right.

Overview of the eight candidates

The race features eight key contenders: Jeannette Jara, José Antonio Kast, Carolina Tohá, Evelyn Matthei, Franco Parisi, Ximena Rincón, Marco Enríquez-Ominami, and Rodolfo Carter. They present sharply different visions for Chile’s economic and political future.

On the left, Jeannette Jara proposes expanding social welfare, strengthening public healthcare and promoting labour rights. Carolina Tohá and Marco Enríquez-Ominami also support progressive taxation, gender equality initiatives and environmental transitions, aiming to respond to the social demands that emerged after the 2019 unrest.

On the right, José Antonio Kast leads a bloc prioritising security, strict immigration control and market-friendly reforms. Evelyn Matthei and Rodolfo Carter emphasise institutional modernisation, police reinforcement and incentives for private investment.

Meanwhile, centrist candidates such as Ximena Rincón and Franco Parisi promote technocratic reforms, public-private partnerships and economic stability. Together, the eight contenders reflect a fragmented electorate seeking both stability and significant political change.

Among the eight contenders, José Antonio Kast and Jeannette Jara have emerged as the leading candidates, representing the clearest ideological contrast in the race. Current polling and expert analysis suggest that neither is likely to secure an outright majority in the first round, making a second-round runoff the most probable scenario. You can see more about these candidates here.

Key issues in the election

Crime and immigration dominate voter concerns. According to an October poll by Activa, these issues rank highest among the electorate, followed by unemployment and healthcare. Although Chile has traditionally experienced lower violent crime rates than other countries in the region, recent increases in organised crime, theft, and corruption have shifted public perception.

“I had to install remote surveillance cameras [and] chain the tables, and on weekends I hired a security guard to help keep watch,” Leidy Paredes, a nightclub owner in Santiago, told The Associated Press.

In response to public pressure, all major candidates have proposed tough-on-crime policies. Kast and Kaiser have focused on punitive measures, while Jara has advocated expanding the prison system and improving border security using advanced technology.

The issue of immigration has also taken centre stage. Between 2018 and 2024, migration to Chile increased by 46.8%. Although the rate slowed between 2022 and 2024, candidates across the spectrum have addressed the topic. While Kast supports mass deportations, Jara has proposed a temporary registration system for undocumented migrants.

Chile's economic challenges are another significant issue. The country is experiencing an economic slowdown, with unemployment at approximately 9%—among the highest in Latin America. Candidates have presented various strategies to address affordability, with Jara focusing on wage increases and housing, and Kast proposing business incentives.

Voting and electoral context

Voter turnout is expected to be higher than in 2021, when only 47% of eligible voters participated. As of 2024, there are 15,450,377 registered voters in Chile.

The November 16 vote will also determine the composition of the legislature, with all 155 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 23 out of 50 Senate seats up for election.

Jeannette Jara is currently projected to win the first round by a narrow margin. However, if she proceeds to the runoff, she may face a consolidated right-wing challenge.

Historical background

Chile enters the 2025 presidential election after a turbulent political decade marked by social unrest, constitutional debates and growing public frustration with inequality and insecurity. The 2019 protests revealed deep structural tensions, pushing issues such as pensions, healthcare, wages and public services to the centre of national debate. Although the constitutional reform process ultimately failed twice, it changed the political landscape and intensified demands for long-term reforms.

At the same time, crime and migration have become top voter concerns, reshaping political narratives across the spectrum. The return to mandatory voting is expected to bring millions of additional voters to the polls, potentially altering traditional turnout patterns. With eight candidates and no clear majority, analysts widely expect the election to move into a second round, where alliances and negotiation will become decisive. You can read more about Chile’s historical political context here.