Chile's polling stations began on Sunday, with over 15 million people expected to vote for the next president, as well as legislators, senators, and regional councilors.

All 2,811 polling locations opened at 08:00 a.m. local time and will close at 18:00 a.m. local time unless there are still persons waiting to vote at that time.

In addition, 113 polling sites have been set up abroad to allow 71,000 Chileans living in 64 countries to vote.

Voting overseas began in New Zealand and Australia due to time differences.

In the light of the recent spike in Covid-19 contagions, electoral officials have urged citizens to take all prescribed health precautions.

Candidates for the presidency include Gabriel Boric of the left-wing 'Apruebo Dignidad' (I Approve Dignity) coalition, Jose Antonio Kast of the far-right Republican Party, Yasna Provost of the center-left 'Nuevo Pacto Social' (New Social Pact) coalition, and Sebastian Sichel of the ruling right-wing 'Chile Podemos Mas' (Chile We Can More) coalition.

Marco Henriquez-Ominami of the left-wing Progressive Party, Eduardo Artes of the left-wing Union Patriotic Party, and Franco Parisi of the People's Party round out the presidential candidates.

155 members of the Chamber of Deputies, 27 of 50 senators, and the Regional Councilors, who constitute the local administrations with the governors, will be elected during the day.