General elections were held in Chile on 30 October 1932.

Dieter Nohlen Dieter Nohlen (born 6 November 1939) is a German academic and political scientist. He currently holds the position of Emeritus Professor of Political Science in the Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences of the University of Heidelberg. An expe ...

(2005) ''Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume II'', p262 Arturo Alessandri of the Liberal Party was elected president, whilst the

Conservative Party The Conservative Party is a name used by many political parties around the world. These political parties are generally right-wing though their exact ideologies can range from center-right to far-right. Political parties called The Conservative P ...

and Radical Party emerged as the largest parties in the

Chamber of Deputies The chamber of deputies is the lower house in many bicameral legislatures and the sole house in some unicameral legislatures. Description Historically, French Chamber of Deputies was the lower house of the French Parliament during the Bourbon R ...

Background

The election took place roughly a year after the 1931 Chilean presidential election, previous election, but political and economic instability caused by the Great Depression which hit a low in mid-1932, only made the situation worse. President Juan Esteban Montero, Montero had to resign shortly after a mutiny led by Marmaduque Grove, who headed the Socialist Republic of Chile until being overthrown by former ally Carlos Dávila who would also be overthrown, this time by Bartolome Blanche. After his downfall, Abraham Oyanedel became head of state. The return of Alessandri became so highly awaited that he won the election in a landslide ending a turbulent and bitter year for the country, being considered today as the worst one in Chilean history.

Electoral system

The presidential election was held using the absolute majority system, under which a candidate had to receive over 50% of the popular vote to be elected. If no candidate received over 50% of the vote, both houses of the National Congress of Chile, National Congress would come together to vote on the two candidates that received the most votes.

Results

President

Senate

Chamber of Deputies

Aftermath

Following the elections, three of the independent candidates elected to the Chamber of Deputies joined the Communist Party.Nohlen, p280

References

{{Chilean elections Presidential elections in Chile 1932 in Chile 1932 elections in South America, Chile Elections in Chile October 1932 events Election and referendum articles with incomplete results