MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Young Chileans disenchanted with politicians.

The registry of young Chileans in the Electoral Roll has dropped a dramatic 50% between 1997 and 2003 according to a report form the Chilean Youth Institute.

The fourth national youth opinion poll highlighted "the growing distance between young Chileans and politics, with the almost unanimous statement that politicians do not represent the interests of young people".

The report shows that 41,5% of new potential voters did not register because they have no interest at all in politics.

Registering in the 18/29 years age group dropped from 57,8% to 27,1% in the last six years, with little chance of reverting that situation since "lack of interest intensifies with age".

Another common argument for not registering was "lack of time", 11,7%, an excuse which according to the Chilean Youth report softens with time but turns "into a lack of interest in politicians and candidates".

The poll also indicates that 7% mistrust candidates and 12,6% said that politicians do not motivate them.

"It's not a complete lack of interest in politics, but rather a criticism of the names and candidates appointed to run", points out the report.

Another interesting fact is that 77% of those interviewed do not belong to any political organization. But, "the apparent youth apathy is no more than a myth, since 47% admitted belonging to some sort of organization".

But in spite of the apparent "apathy" politics in Chile can be rough. President Ricardo Lagos appealed for calm this weekend following several confrontations between rival candidates and groups.

Municipal elections are scheduled for next Sunday October 31 and apparently opposition candidates in Valparaiso were beaten and chased by a gang of yet unidentified hooligans who were tearing down political propaganda.

Another fist fight between rival candidates ended with the intervention of an ambulance and the Carabineros.

"We Chileans have a tradition of civic and democratic participation and I'm certain we're going to uphold it. Let's hope these are isolated actions and are clearly indicative of something we Chileans reject and don't like to be identified with", said President Ricardo Lagos when interviewed by the press.