Voters in and outside Chile vote today on a new Constitution. With a mandatory vote, a massive turnout is expected. Will Chileans get rid of the current Constitution that originally springs from the dictatorship?
A lot is at stake today in Chile. Chileans decided today whether to scrap the existing Constitution written and imposed on the country during the dictatorship and approve the draft of a new one that the country’s Constitutional Convention crafted over the past year: the existing magna carta, with its decidedly small role for the state and lots of room for the free market, versus a progressive, new document that promises to grant more rights to residents and place more responsibilities on government. Chile decides its future today.
In polling stations throughout the country, people lined up early on Sunday to cast their votes. Voting is obligatory for this referendum, and a massive turnout is expected. In some emblematic places, such as Estadio Nacional, used as a detention and torture center during the dictatorship, young and old showed up to perform their civic duty.
Chileans abroad are also voting. In some of the most eastern countries, such as Japan, North Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, polling stations have already closed. In these countries, Apruebo won handily. However, results show that Rechazo didn’t lose by such a big margin, meaning the mandatory vote might tip in favor of the Rechazo camp by the time the final votes are counted.
President Gabriel Boric and former presidents Michelle Bachelet and Sebastián Piñera voted early on Sunday. Boric did so in his hometown, Punta Arenas, and headed back immediately to the capital to monitor the elections. Bachelet, who has already said she favors Apruebo, voted in Geneva, Switzerland. “We have our destiny in our own hands,” she said. Piñera, who is expected to vote Rechazo but who stayed away from any campaigning, said: “Chile is a wonderful country and we have the opportunity to have a happier life.”
🔴 President Gabriel Boric has voted in his hometown Punta Arenas. The president will now head back to the capital to follow the referendum. #Elecciones2022 pic.twitter.com/kpKVsSFtZr
— Chile Today News (@ChileTodayNews) September 4, 2022
Editor-In-Chief Boris van der Spek is the founder of Chile Today.