MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Poll confirms runoff in Chile's presidential election

The Chilean ruling coalition presidential candidate Michelle Bachelet leads comfortably in the latest public opinion poll released Thursday, 48 hours before Sunday's vote.

However 59% of interviews believe Ms Bachelet will be forced to a runoff in mid January and only 41% said she would be elected in the first round next Sunday.

The public opinion poll taken between November 24 and December 3 and with an estimated 2,4% error, shows Ms. Bachelet with 41% vote intention followed by Liberal Sebastian Piñera 22%; conservative Joaquin Lavin 19% and Tomas Hirsch 7%. Another 7% did not reply and 4% said they would annul their ballots.

To the question "who do you believe will be Chile's next president?", Ms. Bachelet led with 59% followed by Mr. Piñera 19% and Mr. Lavin 9%.

And when asked "who would you never vote?", 42% mentioned Mr. Lavin; Tomas Hirsch 14%; Ms. Bachelet 14% and Mr. Piñera 7%.

If the run off is between Ms Bachelet and Joaquin Lavin, 56% would vote for the Lady and 27% for the gentleman. Another 10% does not know and 7% simply will not vote.

But against Mr. Piñera, Ms Bachelet comes ahead with 50% and her rival 35%. Another 11% refused to answer and 5% will abstain.

If Ms Bachelet finally wins she World become Chile's first ever woman president.

The public opinion poll involved 1,200 people, over 18, registered in the Electoral roll and in 29 cities with population over 40.000.

Regarding President Ricardo Lagos administration which comes to an end next March, 71% approve his performance, which is 9 points higher than a month ago.

As to the politicians with most future the poll shows Ms Bachelet with 40%; followed by Sebastian Piñera 37%; Jaoquin Lavin and Soledad Alvear 23% and Tomas Hirsch with 12%, ahead of former Home Secretary and currently Organization of American States secretary general Jose Miguel Insulza with 9%.

The public opinion poll is the last to be released before the beginning of the 48 hours ban on all electoral proselytism previous to Sunday's vote.

Besides President, the Chilean electorate will partially renew the Senate and the Lower House.

Thursday night hopefuls Mr. Piñera and Mr Lavin held massive closing rallies in Santiago promising to support whoever of the two is elected for the runoff. Ms Bachelet cancelled her programmed final rally following an accident where five supporters were killed and several others injured including one of her nephews.