Uncertainty reigns as Chile presidential election enters home stretch

FILE PHOTO: Independent deputy Gabriel Boric delivers a speech in support of a rally called by students to protest against government education reforms, in front of the congress building, in Valparaiso, Chile, July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's presidential race kicked off on Tuesday after the last candidates registered late the evening before for a contest to determine who will usher in a new constitution and confront social upheaval in the world's top copper producer.

The early front-runners in the race are upstart left-wing lawmaker Gabriel Boric, 35, who hails from Chilean Patagonia, and Sebastian Sichel, 44, a tattooed independent former minister who will attempt to hold together the ruling conservative coalition.