Chile's Universidad de Santiago (Usach) begins rector elections on Wednesday after the Tricel annulled Rodrigo Vidal's victory last November. Rejected academic Bruno Jerardino has asked Santiago's Court of Appeals for an order to halt the process. No judicial response has come yet, allowing the vote with three candidates to proceed.
In November 2025, the Tricel annulled Rodrigo Vidal's election as Usach rector due to professors excluded from the voter roll. The court mandated fresh elections, starting today with three candidates on the ballot: Pedro Palominos, Andrea Mahn and Cristián Muñoz.
Five academics sought to register, but only three were cleared after challenges. Bruno Jerardino, one of those rejected, filed for an injunction with Santiago's Fifth Chamber of the Court of Appeals, claiming eligibility. With no ruling yet, the first round goes ahead.
Pedro Palominos, a civil industrial engineer and former pro-rector, outlines four pillars: training, research, outreach and responsibility. "We did not come this far to transform the possible, but to build what is yet to come", his program states.
Andrea Mahn, engineering vice-dean, prioritizes governance, integrity and excellence. "Our commitment is to lead with clear rules, evidence-based decisions and effective triestamental participation", she says. Cristián Muñoz, Vidal's former pro-rector, aims to bolster academic careers and gender equality across seven axes.
