Chile to vote on new Constitution

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Chileans will hold a historic plebiscite on Sunday to decide to approve a new Constitution.

About 15 million Chileans 18 and older must cast ballots to replace the Constitution that was drawn up during Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship, which has been law since 1980.

The drafting of the new Constitution began in 2019 after social unrest that resulted in a first plebiscite where 80% of the population decided a new Constitutional text should be made.

In 12 months, 155 popularly-elected individuals, representing a variety of voices, worked to draft the new Constitution.

The result, presented in July to President Gabriel Boric, is a 178-page progressive document that embodies gender equality and Indigenous rights, expands social protections and prioritizes environmental protection. The constituent assembly said the proposal is a response to Chileans' requests for a more equal society.

Activists for and against the draft have been campaigning in recent days to gain more supporters. But the balance seems to be tipping toward a rejection.

The latest polls published by AtlasIntel indicate that 58.4% would vote against the document.

During the campaign, Chileans have had to bear false announcements and misleading interpretations about the new text.

A right-winger has even falsely claimed that it would change the national anthem and flag.

In the face of a possible rejection, the president, who supports the new text, has said he would modify the proposal on Sept. 5 for those who want to vote to approve but still have doubts.