The election took place roughly a year after the
previous election, but political and economic instability caused by the
Great Depression which hit a low in mid-1932, only made the situation worse. President
Montero had to resign shortly after a mutiny led by
Marmaduque Grove, who headed the
Socialist Republic of Chile until being overthrown by former ally
Carlos Dávila who would also be overthrown, this time by
Bartolome Blanche. After his downfall,
Abraham Oyanedel became head of state. The return of Alessandri became so highly awaited that he won the election in a landslide ending a turbulent and bitter year for the country, being considered today as the worst one in Chilean history.
Electoral system
The presidential election was held using the absolute majority system, under which a candidate had to receive over 50% of the popular vote to be elected. If no candidate received over 50% of the vote, both houses of the
National Congress would come together to vote on the two candidates that received the most votes.[2]