SANTIAGO, Aug 31- Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet (photo) is leading in opinion polls as her country gears up for the November presidential election.
A survey released on Thursday showed that 44 per cent of the respondents want Bachelet, the candidate of the centre-left New Majority coalition, to be the next president.
Her main rival, Evelyn Matthei of the right-wing Independent Democratic Union, trailed with 12 per cent, according to the poll, conducted by polling firm Centre for Public Studies.
This is the first time two women lead the race for the Chilean presidency.
Meanwhile, 75 per cent expected Bachelet, who led the South American country from 2006 to 2010, to win the race, while only 6.0 per cent predicted a victory for Matthei, showed the survey.
Also in the poll, 53 per cent said they would vote, 19 per cent said probably, 7 per cent said probably not, and 15 per cent said they would not vote.
The Chilean presidential election is scheduled for Nov 17.
– BERNAMA
