Chile: Municipal elections

Chile held municipal elections on Sunday, notable for the fact that this was the first poll since compulsory voting was scrapped. Previously, registering on the electoral role was optional but once registered, you had to vote. Turnout this time was low, at around 40%. This is not a great result but after all, local elections in Europe often get very low interest as well. Still, it's something Chile will want to work on changing.

President Sebastian Pinera said,

"Many Chileans decided not to exercise their right nor their duty to participate in these elections. That is a warning sign that will not and should not go unnoticed." 

 I've mentioned before the issue of disappeared people appearing on the electoral role. In addition, Salvador Allende's granddaughter Maya Fernández Allende defeated the incumbent mayor, Pedro Sabat of the centre-right National Renovation party, in the Santiago district of Nuñoa

Chile local polls see low turnout with voting voluntary (BBC)
The Day After (Robert L. Funk)
Salvador Allende's granddaughter in Chile election win (Guardian)