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Chile tycoon 'wins' first round Chilean tycoon wins first round
(about 1 hour later)
Early results in Chile's presidential elections put billionaire Sebastian Pinera ahead, but without the majority needed to avoid a second round. Centre-right candidate Sebastian Pinera has won the first round of Chile's presidential election, but without the majority needed to avoid a run-off.
The centre-right businessman has 44% of the vote, with 60% of ballots counted. The billionaire businessman has 44% of votes, with the count almost complete, below the 50% required for victory.
He is up against three left and centre-left candidates - Eduardo Frei, Marco Enriquez-Ominami and Jorge Arrate. He will now face centre-left candidate Eduardo Frei, a former president himself, in a second round in January.
BBC correspondents say the signs are that the country is likely to shift to the right, after 20 years of centre-left rule. A victory for Mr Pinera would put conservatives back in power in Chile after 20 years of centre-left rule.
If no-one manages to get 50% of the vote in the first round, the two leading candidates will go through to a run-off on 17 January.
The early results show that Mr Frei has 30%, with the other two candidates trailing badly.
CHILE'S PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS Sebastian Pinera - centre-right businessman, lost to Michelle Bachelet in 2006 presidential raceEduardo Frei - candidate of the ruling centre-left coalition; served as president 1994-2000Marco Enriquez-Ominami - independent set to split centre-left vote; former film directorJorge Arrate - veteran Socialist, has support of Communist PartyCHILE'S PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS Sebastian Pinera - centre-right businessman, lost to Michelle Bachelet in 2006 presidential raceEduardo Frei - candidate of the ruling centre-left coalition; served as president 1994-2000Marco Enriquez-Ominami - independent set to split centre-left vote; former film directorJorge Arrate - veteran Socialist, has support of Communist Party
Mr Frei, 67, is seeking his second term as president after an absence of 10 years.Mr Frei, 67, is seeking his second term as president after an absence of 10 years.
Around eight million Chileans have been voting in the election.Around eight million Chileans have been voting in the election.
Mr Pinera, 60, owns a television channel, a stake in Chile's most successful football club and has millions of dollars in investments.Mr Pinera, 60, owns a television channel, a stake in Chile's most successful football club and has millions of dollars in investments.
He has campaigned on a tough law-and-order ticket and has also vowed to use his business know-how to reactivate the economy, promising Chileans an annual growth rate of 6% for the next four years.He has campaigned on a tough law-and-order ticket and has also vowed to use his business know-how to reactivate the economy, promising Chileans an annual growth rate of 6% for the next four years.
The BBC's Gideon Long in Santiago says he looks certain to win Sunday's ballot. The BBC's Gideon Long in Santiago says a victory for Mr Pinera would give Chile its first conservative government since 1990, when strongman Gen Augusto Pinochet finally relinquished power.
The big question, our correspondent says, is whether Mr Pinera can reach the crucial 50% mark which would secure outright victory and give Chile its first conservative government since 1990, when strongman Gen Augusto Pinochet finally relinquished power.
The poll could lead to a run off in January.The poll could lead to a run off in January.
This is the second time Mr Pinera has run for the presidency at the head of a centre-right coalition.This is the second time Mr Pinera has run for the presidency at the head of a centre-right coalition.
In 2006, he lost to the extremely popular outgoing Socialist president, Michelle Bachelet.In 2006, he lost to the extremely popular outgoing Socialist president, Michelle Bachelet.
But under the constitution she cannot stand for re-election, and her candidate, Mr Frei, is struggling to emulate her popularity.But under the constitution she cannot stand for re-election, and her candidate, Mr Frei, is struggling to emulate her popularity.
The third candidate is Marco Enriquez-Ominami, a 36-year-old independent who has emerged from nowhere and split the centre-left vote. The third candidate was Marco Enriquez-Ominami, a 36-year-old independent who has emerged from nowhere and split the centre-left vote.
He says Chile needs a new face and new ideas in the presidential palace, after two decades of the same coalition.He says Chile needs a new face and new ideas in the presidential palace, after two decades of the same coalition.
The fourth candidate, and rank outsider, is Jorge Arrate, a veteran Socialist who has the support of Chile's Communist Party. The fourth candidate was Jorge Arrate, a veteran Socialist who has the support of Chile's Communist Party.
The centre-left has been split by in-fighting, and many Chileans appear to be ready for a change, our correspondent says. Mr Enriquez-Ominami polled 20%, with Mr Arrate on 6%.
If Mr Pinera is successful, it will mark the first time in 51 years that the conservatives have taken power in Chile via the ballot box.If Mr Pinera is successful, it will mark the first time in 51 years that the conservatives have taken power in Chile via the ballot box.
Are you in Chile? What outcome are you hoping for? How important is this election for the country? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Chile? What outcome are you hoping for? How important is this election for the country? Send us your comments using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions