Voting began on&nbsp;Sunday in the first round of Chile&#39;s presidential election, with former president Sebastian Pinera likely to cement his frontrunner status to succeed Socialist leader Michelle Bachelet.

But it was unclear whether Pinera, a 67-year-old billionaire who was president from 2010-2014, would gain enough support to avoid a runoff against the runner-up -- likely to be Alejandro Guillier, an independent supported by Bachelet&#39;s Socialists.

It was unclear whether Pinera, who was president from 2010-2014, would gain enough support to avoid a runoff against the runner-up -- likely to be Alejandro Guillier, an independent supported by Bachelet's Socialists

Voting began on Sunday in the first round of Chile's presidential election, with former president Sebastian Pinera likely to cement his frontrunner status to succeed Socialist leader Michelle Bachelet. But it was unclear whether Pinera, a 67-year-old billionaire who was president from 2010-2014, would gain enough support to avoid a runoff against the runner-up -- likely to be Alejandro Guillier, an independent supported by Bachelet's Socialists.

Polls open for first round of Presidential elections in Chile

Voting began Sunday in the first round of Chile&#39;s presidential election, with former president Sebastian Pinera hoping to capitalize on his front-runner status to succeed Socialist leader Michelle Bachelet.

But it was unclear whether Pinera, a conservative 67-year-old billionaire who was president from 2010 to 2014, would gain enough support to avoid a runoff against the runner-up -- likely to be Alejandro Guillier, an independent supported by Bachelet&#39;s Socialists.

Chile&#39;s constitution bans consecutive terms for presidents, but re-election after skipping a term is permissible. Bachelet herself was president from 2006 to 2010 and then re-elected for four more years in 2014.

Pre-vote surveys show the Harvard-educated Pinera with a comfortable lead, but not enough to win the presidency outright.

&quot;It&#39;s not very likely&quot; he will get the 50 per cent or more of ballots needed to avoid a run-off, said political analyst Mauricio Morales of Talca University.

In that case, a second-round showdown would be held between the top two candidates on December 17, and the winner would take over the presidency in March 2018.

- Voter apathy -

Guillier, a 64-year-old former state TV anchor turned senator who presents himself as an independent, has 25 percent of voter support against 44 percent for Pinera, according to opinion polls.

With the outcome weighted heavily in Pinera&#39;s favor, voter apathy could be an issue -- even though there are six other candidates in the race.

Compulsory voting was dropped in 2012, and since then a growing number of Chile&#39;s 14 million eligible voters have decided to stay away from voting booths.

&quot;People don&#39;t want to vote because, really, nobody believes there will be any significant change anywhere. Also, they see who will be president as a foregone conclusion,&quot; said Catalina Gascogne, a 19-year-old student.

Analysts predict that abstention could be as high as 40 per cent, and that Pinera has more motivated voters who will turn out.

About 40,000 Chileans living abroad have already begun casting their ballots, beginning with those living in New Zealand.

- No majority? -

Pinera&#39;s first presidential victory in 2009 elections signified a break from the center-left politics that had reigned in Chile since democracy was restored with the end of Augusto Pinochet&#39;s dictatorship in 1990.

But a Pinera comeback is not seen as a rejection of the overall economic and social model erected in the Bachelet years, during which Chile posted annual growth of 1.8 percent and passed tax and labor reforms, an introduction of free education, and the right to abortion.

&quot;Chileans don&#39;t want to tear down the model, just fix its structure,&quot; Morales said.

Pinera has promised modifications to Bachelet&#39;s reforms, as well as vowing to have Chile join the club of developed nations within eight years.

His effectiveness, though, could be hobbled by a shortfall in legislative support.

&quot;He is not going to have a majority in Congress,&quot; another analyst, Marta Lagos, founder of Latinobarometro and MORI Chile, predicted.

Sunday&#39;s balloting also includes legislative elections for many of the congressional seats. Electoral forecasts suggest the right will increase its representation, but will probably not have the majority in either chamber.

Polls opened at 8:00 am (1100 GMT) and are scheduled to close at 6:00 pm (2100 GMT).

'It's not very likely' Pinera will get the 50% or more of ballots needed to avoid a run-off, said political analyst Mauricio Morales

Voting began Sunday in the first round of Chile's presidential election, with former president Sebastian Pinera hoping to capitalize on his front-runner status to succeed Socialist leader Michelle Bachelet. But it was unclear whether Pinera, a conservative 67-year-old billionaire who was president from 2010 to 2014, would gain enough support to avoid a runoff against the runner-up -- likely to be Alejandro Guillier, an independent supported by Bachelet's Socialists. Chile's constitution bans consecutive terms for presidents, but re-election after skipping a term is permissible. Bachelet herself was president from 2006 to 2010 and then re-elected for four more years in 2014. Pre-vote surveys show the Harvard-educated Pinera with a comfortable lead, but not enough to win the presidency outright. "It's not very likely" he will get the 50 per cent or more of ballots needed to avoid a run-off, said political analyst Mauricio Morales of Talca University. In that case, a second-round showdown would be held between the top two candidates on December 17, and the winner would take over the presidency in March 2018. - Voter apathy - Guillier, a 64-year-old former state TV anchor turned senator who presents himself as an independent, has 25 percent of voter support against 44 percent for Pinera, according to opinion polls. With the outcome weighted heavily in Pinera's favor, voter apathy could be an issue -- even though there are six other candidates in the race. Compulsory voting was dropped in 2012, and since then a growing number of Chile's 14 million eligible voters have decided to stay away from voting booths. "People don't want to vote because, really, nobody believes there will be any significant change anywhere. Also, they see who will be president as a foregone conclusion," said Catalina Gascogne, a 19-year-old student. Analysts predict that abstention could be as high as 40 per cent, and that Pinera has more motivated voters who will turn out. About 40,000 Chileans living abroad have already begun casting their ballots, beginning with those living in New Zealand. - No majority? - Pinera's first presidential victory in 2009 elections signified a break from the center-left politics that had reigned in Chile since democracy was restored with the end of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship in 1990. But a Pinera comeback is not seen as a rejection of the overall economic and social model erected in the Bachelet years, during which Chile posted annual growth of 1.8 percent and passed tax and labor reforms, an introduction of free education, and the right to abortion. "Chileans don't want to tear down the model, just fix its structure," Morales said. Pinera has promised modifications to Bachelet's reforms, as well as vowing to have Chile join the club of developed nations within eight years. His effectiveness, though, could be hobbled by a shortfall in legislative support. "He is not going to have a majority in Congress," another analyst, Marta Lagos, founder of Latinobarometro and MORI Chile, predicted. Sunday's balloting also includes legislative elections for many of the congressional seats. Electoral forecasts suggest the right will increase its representation, but will probably not have the majority in either chamber. Polls opened at 8:00 am (1100 GMT) and are scheduled to close at 6:00 pm (2100 GMT).

Pinera poised for presidential comeback in Chile

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived in Havana late Wednesday night ahead of the signing of an agreement between Colombia&#39;s government and leftist FARC rebels. 
 
The two sides are slated to sign an agreement to end hostilities with a definitive ceasefire today. 
 
After more than three years of fraught talks in the Cuban capital, the agreement brings into sight an end to a conflict that began as a 1960s peasant revolt before exploding into a cocaine-fuelled war that has killed at least 220,000 people and displaced millions. 
 
The accord will be signed in Havana by President Juan Manuel Santos and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, rebel leader Rodrigo Londono, better known by his nom de guerre Timochenko. 
 
The agreement would leave the two sides just a step away from resolving the longest-running conflict in the Western Hemisphere. 
 
&quot;I congratulate (Colombian) President (Juan Manuel) Santos and the Colombian government. I congratulate the Revolutionary Armed Forces (of Colombia), the FARC and their commander, Timoleon for this historic advancement, this gigantic step. Peace in Colombia is our peace,&quot; Maduro said, referring to Londono by another of his aliases. 
 
Ban and Maduro were expected to attend the signing ceremony along with Cuban President Raul Castro and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet. 
 
The ceremony is expected to be held at 12:00 EDT (1600 GMT) 
 
(Reuters)

The agreement ends what started as a 1960s peasant revolt but ended up killing 220,000 and displacing millions

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived in Havana late Wednesday night ahead of the signing of an agreement between Colombia's government and leftist FARC rebels. The two sides are slated to sign an agreement to end hostilities with a definitive ceasefire today. After more than three years of fraught talks in the Cuban capital, the agreement brings into sight an end to a conflict that began as a 1960s peasant revolt before exploding into a cocaine-fuelled war that has killed at least 220,000 people and displaced millions. The accord will be signed in Havana by President Juan Manuel Santos and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, rebel leader Rodrigo Londono, better known by his nom de guerre Timochenko. The agreement would leave the two sides just a step away from resolving the longest-running conflict in the Western Hemisphere. "I congratulate (Colombian) President (Juan Manuel) Santos and the Colombian government. I congratulate the Revolutionary Armed Forces (of Colombia), the FARC and their commander, Timoleon for this historic advancement, this gigantic step. Peace in Colombia is our peace," Maduro said, referring to Londono by another of his aliases. Ban and Maduro were expected to attend the signing ceremony along with Cuban President Raul Castro and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet. The ceremony is expected to be held at 12:00 EDT (1600 GMT) (Reuters)

Ban Ki-moon and Venezuela's Maduro arrive for Colombia-FARC agreement