The first to exercise their right to vote were Chileans living in New Zealand and Australia. | Photo: @ServelChile

Santiago de Chile, July 18 (RHC)-- Hundreds of Chilean citizens living abroad began to exercise their right to vote on Sunday in the presidential primary elections.  Chile's Electoral Service (Servel) indicated on its Twitter social network account that the first to exercise their right to vote were the compatriots residing in New Zealand and Australia.

"At this moment the Presidential Primary elections are still taking place in the two voting places in New Zealand, Auckland and Wellington", indicated the Serval in a tweet.  In national territory, the primary elections will start from 08:00 local time (12:00 GMT) and will conclude at 18:00 local time (22:00 GMT).

On this day, Chileans will elect the presidential candidates of the conservative coalition Chile Vamos and of the leftist alliance Apruebo Dignidad.  The winning candidates of both political organizations on Sunday will be officially registered to participate in the first presidential round, scheduled for the following November 21.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this Sunday's electoral process includes sanitary protection measures, so that polling station officials and voters do not become infected.