Chile election poll shows race tightening as polarized showdown nears

FILE PHOTO: Chilean presidential candidate Gabriel Boric, of left-wing coalition 'Apruebo Dignidad' (I Approve Dignity), takes part in a live radio debate ahead of December 19 second round presidential elections in Santiago, Chile, December 10, 2021. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's presidential election race is tightening ahead of a polarized runoff on Sunday, with ultra-conservative Jose Antonio Kast narrowing the gap to leftist former student leader Gabriel Boric as the two compete for key middle ground votes.

A private survey from pollster Cadem, seen by Reuters, showed Kast with 36% of the voting intention, just 3-points behind Boric, half the gap there had been at the end of last month shortly after the Nov. 21 first round vote.