Parties and Candidates

Chile

PC001

Question:	What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	a. Signature requirement (specify requirement) c. Regional distribution requirement f. Other
Comments:	For the registry of political parties, it is necessary to submit the application for registration before the Electoral Service. Prior to this, there are two requirements: 1. a title deed with the name of the party, acronyms, logos, slogans, principles, internal structure, functions, etc.; 2. the affiliation of a number of citizens equivalent to 0.25% of the electoral roll in 8 of the 15 regions in which the country is divided, as long as such percentage exceeds 500 voters.
Source:	Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica Constitucional sobre Votaciones Populares y Escrutinios (2016)”, art. 3 & 6: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-sobre-votaciones-populares-y-escrutinios/ Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica Constitucional de los Partidos Políticos (2016)”, art. 5-7: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-organica-constitucional-de-los-partidos/
Verified:	2025/03/21

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PC003

Question:	What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	a. Age b. Citizenship d. Residence h. Minimum level of education
Comments:	Candidates must be at least 21 years old, have the right to suffrage, have completed mid-level education (or equivalent), and be resident of the region belonging to the electoral district for a period of no less than 2 years prior to the day of the election.
Source:	Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Chile (2017)”, art. 48: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-constitucion-politica-de-la-republica-de-1/
Verified:	2025/03/21

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PC008

Question:	Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):	e. In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments:
Source:	Constitution: “Constitución Política de la República de Chile (2017)”, art. 18: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-constitucion-politica-de-la-republica-de-1/ Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica Constitucional sobre Votaciones Populares y Escrutinios (2016)”, art. 10, 11, 13: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-sobre-votaciones-populares-y-escrutinios/
Verified:	2025/03/21

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PC012

Question:	Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):	b. Direct c. Indirect
Comments:	The State shall grant quarterly economic contributions to political parties in order to finance the expenses resulting from their operation, activities and acquisition of property (at least 10% must be used to promote women’s political participation). Likewise, for electoral advertising certain free broadcasting time must be allocated by television channels.
Source:	Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica Constitucional sobre Votaciones Populares y Escrutinios (2016)”, art. 31: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-sobre-votaciones-populares-y-escrutinios/ Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica Constitucional de los Partidos Políticos (2016)”, art. 33-36: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-organica-constitucional-de-los-partidos/ Electoral Law: “Ley sobre Transparencia, Límite y Control del Gasto Electoral (2016)”, art. 13-15bis: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-sobre-el-gasto-electoral-2017/
Verified:	2025/03/21

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PC015

Question:	What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):	b. Based on result of previous election
Comments:	Every year, the total contribution to be allocated will consist of the equivalent to 0.04 ‘Unidades de Fomento’ (units of account) multiplied by the number of votes validly cast during the last election. This contribution can never be less than 0.04 ‘Unidades de Fomento’ multiplied by 40% of the total number of people in the electoral roll, nor more than 0.04 ‘Unidades de Fomento’ multiplied by 60% of such people. The result will be divided into four equal parts, to be allocated quarterly in the months of January, April, July and October.
Source:	Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica Constitucional de los Partidos Políticos (2016)”, art. 33bis: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-organica-constitucional-de-los-partidos/ Electoral Law: “Ley sobre Transparencia, Límite y Control del Gasto Electoral (2016)”, art. 13-15bis: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-sobre-el-gasto-electoral-2017/
Verified:	2025/03/21

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PC017

Question:	Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	The maximum contribution in money each non-member natural person can make to political parties per year, cannot exceed of 300 ‘Unidades de Fomento’ (units of account). Each member natural persons' contributions cannot exceed of 500 ‘Unidades de Fomento’ per year. Political parties cannot receive contributions of any kind from legal entities. Additionally, the political parties' income may only be of national origin.
Source:	Electoral Law: “Ley Orgánica Constitucional de los Partidos Políticos (2016)”, art. 33: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-organica-constitucional-de-los-partidos/ Electoral Law: “Ley sobre Transparencia, Límite y Control del Gasto Electoral (2016)”, art. 8-12: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/CL/chile-ley-sobre-el-gasto-electoral-2017/
Verified:	2025/03/21

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