Media and Elections

Chile

ME037

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time

Question:	What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):	a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance c. Based on result of previous election
Comments:	In the case of the President’s election, broadcasting time is allocated on equal terms. When presidential, deputy, and senatorial elections are being held at the same time, media will be distributed evenly. On the other hand, for elections of deputies or senators the broadcasting time will be allocated according to the result of previous election. Art 31: "Los canales de televisión de libre recepción deberán destinar gratuitamente treinta minutos diarios de sus transmisiones a propaganda electoral en los casos de elección de Presidente de la República, de diputados y senadores, únicamente de diputados o de plebiscitos nacionales. Cuando correspondan elecciones conjuntas de Presidente de la República y de diputados y senadores, los canales de televisión de libre recepción destinarán, también gratuitamente, cuarenta minutos diarios a propaganda electoral, los que se distribuirán en veinte minutos para la elección de Presidente de la República y veinte minutos para la elección de diputados y senadores." - Free-to-air television channels must devote thirty minutes a day of their broadcasts free of charge to electoral propaganda in the event of the election of the President of the Republic, of deputies and senators, only of deputies or of national plebiscites.When joint elections of the President of the Republic and of deputies and senators are held, the television channels of free reception shall devote forty minutes a day to electoral propaganda, also free of charge, which shall be distributed in twenty minutes for the election of the President of the Republic and twenty minutes for the election of deputies and senators.
Source:	Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica Constitucional sobre Votaciones Populares y Escrutinios (2016)”, art. 30 & 31: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-sobre-votaciones-populares-y-escrutinios/
Verified:	2025/03/25

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ME059

Television debates

Question:	Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):	a. Yes, in presidential elections
Comments:	Television debates are not foreseen in the electoral law.
Source:	Ruíz, Fernando y Hernán Alberro, “Ola de debates electorales en América Latina: Luces y sombras de un avance democrático”, 2013, p. 6: http://www.kas.de/upload/auslandshomepages/medioslatinos/debates_electorales.pdf
Verified:	2025/03/25

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ME062

Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.

Question:	What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:	f. 10 or more days
Comments:	Results of the opinion polls may not be published within 15 days prior to the Election Day.
Source:	Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica Constitucional sobre Votaciones Populares y Escrutinios (2016)”, art. 32ter: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-sobre-votaciones-populares-y-escrutinios/
Verified:	2025/03/25

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ME080

Question:	Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica Constitucional sobre Votaciones Populares y Escrutinios (2016)”, art. 30 - 38: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-sobre-votaciones-populares-y-escrutinios/ Electoral Law: “Ley sobre Transparencia, Límite y Control del Gasto Electoral (2016)”, art. 4 - 6: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-sobre-el-gasto-electoral-2017/
Verified:	2025/03/25

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