Chilean Presidential Elections 101

With each passing day, Chileans are increasingly preoccupied by the upcoming presidential elections. The Chilean election system is different than what we are used to in the States. While I'm not a political junkie, I have been trying to better understand the election system, the presidential candidates, and the implications for voting for each.

The elections are scheduled to take place on Sunday, Dec. 13th., but in the last few weeks all the election signs have been showing up everywhere...and I mean everywhere. You can't go down one main street without being bombarded with hundreds of campaign signs.

Election day is always on a Sunday, which has major implications for ministry. Chilean law forbids any groups to meet or congregate on election day, so most churches do not have services on that day.

All citizens of Chile, as well as foreigners legally residing in Chile for at least five years, who are 18 years of age or older on the day of the election, are eligible to register and subsequently vote in the elections. Registering to vote is voluntary, however, once electors are registered, it is mandatory to vote in each and every election. If you don't vote, then you pay a fine. Chileans are not allowed to vote overseas. If you are a political junkie, go HERE for additional information on the Chilean voting and government system.


There are four main presidential candidates this year:

Sebastián Piñera - National Renewal Party; Center-Right political views; Economist, investor, & billionaire; Runner up in the last Presidential elections (2005); owns 100% of a Chilean television station, 27% of Lan Chile Airlines, and 13% of the famous Colo-Colo Chile soccer team.





Eduardo Frei - Christian Democratic Party; Center-left political views; Civil Engineer; former president of Chile (1994-2000); former president of the Senate (2006-2008)








Marco Enríquez-Ominami - Independent political party; Center-left political views; filmmaker and politician; son of a famous Chilean Revolutionary Left leader; married to a Chilean TV hostess; nickname is MEO, due to his long name.




Jorge Arrate - Communist Party of Chile; Left political views; lawyer, economist, academic, and writer; has served under two previous Chilean presidents.








If one of the candidates doesn't receive over 50% of the popular vote on Dec. 13th, then there is a run off vote on Jan. 17, 2010, between the top two leading candidates. Many hot-button issues are at stake upon the conclusion of this election: Gay Marriage, Homosexuality, and Legal Abortions.

While our family is not here to change the Chilean government, changes in the Chilean government could affect the spread of the Gospel in Chile. Please pray for this election and that Chilean believers (and missionaries) would realize that God will always be in control, no matter who becomes president.

"The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He will." Proverbs 21:1