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News > Latin America

Live Updates: Polls Close in Argentina Elections, First Results in Two Hours

  • An elderly man is assisted before casting his vote at a polling station, in Buenos Aires, Argentina October 27, 2019.

    An elderly man is assisted before casting his vote at a polling station, in Buenos Aires, Argentina October 27, 2019. | Photo: Reuters

Published 27 October 2019
Opinion

Alberto Fernandez holds a 20-point lead in most opinion polls after thumping Macri in an August primary.

Argentines headed to the polls on Sunday, after a year of twists and turns in a dramatic election race that has been chastening for conservative President Mauricio Macri, who trails well behind Peronist rival Alberto Fernandez in opinion polls.

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Around the country, in an overcast Buenos Aires, amid the Pampas farmlands and the vineyards of Mendoza, polling stations opened their doors at 8 a.m.

Voting ended at 6 p.m. local time and local media said first official results were expected by 9:00 p.m. local time. 

The ballot - which many have already called for Fernandez - is effectively a referendum between Macri's austerity and the "social contract" of the left-leaning opposition, who have attracted voters who have been hurt badly by the Macri's neoliberal model that led to the most severe economic crisis in decades. 

Argentina's choice could have far-reaching implications: it is one the world's top grain exporters, is stirring the energy world with its huge Vaca Muerta shale field and is on the cusp of restructuring talks with creditors over US$100 billion in debt.

Fernandez, a relative unknown until this year outside Argentine political circles, holds a 20-point lead in most opinion polls after thumping Macri in an August primary.

The economy has taken center stage with the country in the grip of recession for most of the last year, the outlook for growth darkening, annual inflation over 50 percent, job numbers down and poverty up sharply.

The conservative incumbent won backers with plans to reform Argentina's notoriously closed economy with trade deals and a successful push to lure foreign investment into energy projects and infrastructure.

The rival candidates need 45 percent of the vote or 40 percent with a 10-point lead over the runner-up to avoid a second round, which if needed would be held on Nov. 24.

Voters will choose presidential candidates, along with deputies, senators, governors and local leaders.

Live Updates

Update 6:01 p.m.

Polls have officially closed across Argentina. The electoral authorities, however, assured in a tweet that those who are still queuing at polling stations will be able to complete their vote beyond 6:00 p.m.. 

Update 5:30 p.m. 

With less than 30 minutes until the end of voting in the presidential elections, the country's electoral authority said that over 70 percent of the electorate has cast their vote. 

Update 4:20 p.m.

Argentina's electoral authority announces that over 60 percent of eligible voters have already voted. 

Update 4:10 p.m.

Update 2:30 p.m.

The average voter turnout in the 2015 run-off election was 80.77%:

Update 1:25 p.m.

Former president and current vice-presidential candidate Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has voted. She said it is an important day to celebrate the country's democracy. 

Update 12:20 p.m.

Presidential candidate and President Macri has voted.

Update 12:05 p.m.

Leading presidential candidate Alberto Fernandez exercised his right to vote. Speaking to media he called elections day a "historic day" for Argentina and said he looks forward to winning and starting plans for his potential government. 

Update 11:50 a.m.

Update 11:40 a.m.

Leading presidential candidate Fernandez was seen walking his dog in the early hours of the morning as supporters took pictures and selfies with him. He is expected to win outright in the first round. 

Update 8 a.m.

Polls open in Argentina in an election where voters choose between Macri's right-wing government or new model led by progressive Fernandez.

Tags

Argentina elections Argentina live updates elections Argentina Macri Alberto Fernandez

Reuters
by teleSUR / MH
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