Chileans Cast Votes in High-Stakes Election Dominated by Crime and Migration Fears

Polls opened at 8am on Sunday and closed at 6pm, with results expected throughout the night. Chileans voted for a new president and parliament in a contest expected to favor the hard right, as candidates played on popular fears over organised crime and immigration. The election is the first of an expected two rounds of presidential elections, with polls showing none of the candidates clearing the 50% threshold needed to avoid a runoff scheduled for 14 December. According to analysts, the election has been dominated by concerns over crime and migration, with many voters expressing frustration with the current government's handling of these issues. "The people are fed up with the lack of security and the influx of migrants," said Maria Rodriguez, a 35-year-old voter from Santiago. "We need a president who can take action and restore order." The two frontrunners, Jeannette Jara and José Antonio Kast, have both promised to fight foreign gangs and address the concerns of voters. Jara, a 51-year-old card-carrying communist and former labor minister, has vowed to increase funding for social programs and improve living conditions for low-income families. "We need to address the root causes of crime and poverty, not just the symptoms," she said in a recent debate. Kast, a 59-year-old ultraconservative lawyer and former lawmaker, has taken a more hardline approach, promising to crack down on crime and immigration. He has also vowed to shrink the state and reduce government spending. "We need to take back our country from the gangs and the politicians who are corrupting it," he said in a campaign speech. The election is seen as a key test for Chile's democratic institutions, which have been facing challenges in recent years. The country has been plagued by protests and social unrest, and many voters are seeking a change from the current government. In addition to Jara and Kast, several other candidates are also running in the election, including Gabriel Boric, a 35-year-old left-wing candidate who has promised to increase funding for education and healthcare. "We need to invest in our people, not just our economy," he said in a recent interview. The results of the election are expected to be announced throughout the night, with a runoff scheduled for 14 December if no candidate clears the 50% threshold.