SANTIAGO, 14 June, 2021 (TON): As the country has started to cater the pandemic onset, second round of elections for Chile’s regional governors began.

For the first time, the country will choose the governor through a popular vote.

While calling the elections very important and historic, President Sebastian Pinera said, “Today, for the first time, 13 regions of Chile are going to elect their governor."

Health Minister Enrique Paris said that the Ministry of Health has, alongside the Electoral Service of Chile (Servel), ensured that the elections will be carried out "safely, so that our compatriots can exercise their right to express their opinion at the polls" during the pandemic.

Servel reported that all 40,382 polling stations had been installed across the country, staffed by more than 115,000 workers.

On May 16, Chile held historic elections for mayors, councilors, regional governors, and the 155 constituents who will draft the country's new constitution.

However, only three of the 16 regions managed to elect a governor, as a candidate must receive over 40 per cent of the vote to be elected to the position in the first round.