Polls open in Chile's presidential run-off election

Polls opened today in Chile's run-off presidential election between Socialist former president Michelle Bachelet and conservative Evelyn Matthei, an unprecedented race for the top office between two female candidates.

Pre-election surveys give Bachelet, who was president 2006-2010, nearly twice as much support among voters than Matthei, an economist and former labor minister.

Polls opened at 1630 IST and are scheduled to close at 0230 IST.