1932 Chilean general election

General elections were held in Chile on 30 October 1932.[1] Arturo Alessandri of the Liberal Party was elected president, whilst the Conservative Party and Radical Party emerged as the largest parties in the Chamber of Deputies.

1932 Chilean general election

30 October 1932

Nominee Arturo Alessandri Marmaduke Grove Party Liberal New Public Action Popular vote 187,914 60,856 Percentage 55.1% 17.6%   Nominee Héctor Rodríguez Enrique Zañartu Prieto Party Conservative United Liberal Popular vote 47,207 42,885 Percentage 13.7% 12.4%

President before election Abraham Oyanedel Independent President Arturo Alessandri Liberal

Background

The election took place roughly a year after the 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 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 would come together to vote on the two candidates that received the most votes.[2]

Results

President

Candidate	Party	Votes	%
Arturo Alessandri	Liberal Party	189,914	55.1
Marmaduke Grove	Socialist	60,856	17.6
Héctor Rodríguez de la Cotta	Conservative Party	47,207	13.7
Enrique Zañartu Prieto	United Liberal Party	42,885	12.4
Elías Lafferte	Communist Party	4,128	1.2
Invalid/blank votes		902	–
Total		345,892	100
Registered voters/turnout		464,879	74.4
Source: Nohlen

Senate

Party	Votes	%	Seats
Radical Party			13
Conservative Party			10
Liberal Party			5
Radical Socialist Party			5
Democratic Party			4
Democrat Party			3
New Napista Action			2
Doctrinal Liberal Party			1
United Liberal Party			1
Republican Social Party			1
Total			45
Source: Nohlen

Chamber of Deputies

Party	Votes	%	Seats	+/–
Radical Party	59,413	18.1	34	–5
Conservative Party	55,260	16.8	34	+6
Liberal Party	32,645	9.9	18	–16
Democratic Party	25,221	7.7	13	New
Democrat Party	19,819	6.0	7	–15
Unified Liberal Party	18,885	5.8	6	New
Socialist parties^[a]	18,642	5.7	5	New
Radical Socialist Party	18,174	5.5	8	New
Social Republican Party	7,009	2.1	4	New
Agrarian Party	6,580	1.0	4	New
Doctrinal Liberal Party	5,643	1.7	2	New
Communist Party	3,350	1.0	1	New
Social Democracy Party	3,029	0.9	1	New
Liberal Democratic Party	1,686	0.5	1	New
Other parties	22,265	6.8	0	–
Independents	33,116	10.1	4	+4
Invalid/blank votes		–	–	–
Total	328,207	100	142	+10
Registered voters/turnout	429,772		–	–
Source: Nohlen

^a The Socialist parties included New Public Action (9,790 votes) and Chilean Socialists (5,352 votes).[3]

Aftermath

Following the elections, three of the independent candidates elected to the Chamber of Deputies joined the Communist Party.[4]

References

1. Nohlen, D (2005) Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume II, p262 ISBN 978-0-19-928358-3
2. Nohlen, p259
3. Nohlen, p270
4. Nohlen, p280